Claude Blair - The Obituary

wolviex · 16th March 2010, 03:11 PM

Friends!

I'm quite amazed that after 3 weeks of time there is still no single word on this forum, devoted to European Arms, about the great loss that stroked our community in last month.

Claude Blair, one of the greatest scholars who has devoted his life to antique arms, died on 21 February in the Epson hospital in London after short illness, in age of 87. His funeral took place on 11 March in St. Sepulchre church in the City of London.

I don't think there is any need to introduce his life work on this forum, as we owe him (and we know very well) many great books and articles, written with passion and unmatched knowledge.

He was one of the last of the group of great scholars that were active after the II WW, who gave solid, contemporary basis for antique arms and armour knowledge, along with B. Thomas, H. Seitz, sir J. Mann, L.G. Boccia and many others, who left great legacy for the future studies.

Personally I can say, though I never met him in person, that mr Claude Blair was great friend of Poland and of Polish museums. He was in constant contact with prof. Zdzislaw Zygulski jun., and in 2007 he has sent him his new article called "King Henry VIII's dagger and powder-flask, and the gates of Boulogne" which I'm translating by now and which will be published in 13th volume of the "Studies in history of old arms and uniforms". There is also a correspondence between Claude Blair and prof. Zbigniew Bochenski from 60's and 70's preserved in National Museum in Krakow, with some interesting thought shared between those two scholars, that might be published someday. As far as I know he has done few other works just before his death, that will be published soon, amongst the others by the MET in NY - unfortunately these will be probably the last ones.

Rest In Peace

16th March 2010, 03:11 PM	#1
wolviex Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poland, Krakow Posts: 418	Claude Blair - The Obituary Friends! I'm quite amazed that after 3 weeks of time there is still no single word on this forum, devoted to European Arms, about the great loss that stroked our community in last month. Claude Blair, one of the greatest scholars who has devoted his life to antique arms, died on 21 February in the Epson hospital in London after short illness, in age of 87. His funeral took place on 11 March in St. Sepulchre church in the City of London. I don't think there is any need to introduce his life work on this forum, as we owe him (and we know very well) many great books and articles, written with passion and unmatched knowledge. He was one of the last of the group of great scholars that were active after the II WW, who gave solid, contemporary basis for antique arms and armour knowledge, along with B. Thomas, H. Seitz, sir J. Mann, L.G. Boccia and many others, who left great legacy for the future studies. Personally I can say, though I never met him in person, that mr Claude Blair was great friend of Poland and of Polish museums. He was in constant contact with prof. Zdzislaw Zygulski jun., and in 2007 he has sent him his new article called "King Henry VIII's dagger and powder-flask, and the gates of Boulogne" which I'm translating by now and which will be published in 13th volume of the "Studies in history of old arms and uniforms". There is also a correspondence between Claude Blair and prof. Zbigniew Bochenski from 60's and 70's preserved in National Museum in Krakow, with some interesting thought shared between those two scholars, that might be published someday. As far as I know he has done few other works just before his death, that will be published soon, amongst the others by the MET in NY - unfortunately these will be probably the last ones. Rest In Peace