1927 cartoon uncovered in antique shop

An original print of a cartoon published the day before the 1927 FA Cup final has been uncovered.

“Our Next Visitor” was drawn by famous Echo cartoonist JC Walker and printed on April 22, 1927, the day before the final and the day after King George V visited Cardiff.

Ernest Godwin, 79, of Widecombe Drive, Rumney, Cardiff, came across the cartoon in a book of a collection of JC Walker prints, published in 1933. He found the book, containing 60 cartoons, in an antiques shop in Cardiff about 18 years ago.

Mr Godwin said: “I remember all JC Walker’s cartoons in the newspaper. He was the famous Echo cartoonist of the period.

King George V visited Cardiff on the Thursday. On Saturday King George V presented the FA Cup to Cardiff City.”

At 79 years old, Mr Godwin wasn’t born until 17 months after Cardiff City’s momentous win but his father, Charles Godwin, who lived in Splott, Cardiff, often spoke to him about that weekend.

He was 26 in 1927 and listened to the match on a radio in his neighbourhood.

Mr Godwin said: “The Depression of that time and the 1926 strike having a dire effect in Wales, meant hardship was rife and unforgiving. But the day City qualified for the FA Cup final against the mighty Arsenal, the spirits of Cardiff and Welsh people were engulfed in a mighty wave of optimism.

“The big day came and any house or shop with a radio was surrounded by people willing City on.”

(Published: Wednesday 16 April 2008, South Wales Echo)