Sunday, 31 May 1955
Left Courtland Hotel, took cab to Victoria Station. Checked bags. Asked bobby directions to St. James Station and he had us walking all over town. Dublin cops much more pleasant and helpful than this guy. Finally found London Transport Offices where we bought five posters [see examples]. Waited in a long line at Thomas Cook, but no word on trains or our return tickets on the French Liberte. We'll have to find out about all this in Paris.
Got a much-needed haircut. Barber splashed on tonic and for a two shilling, sixpence up charge. He saw this Yank a patsy.
Not a chance for lunch so beat it down to Trafalgar Square and Strand to meet with Frank Mercer, editor at Modern Publicity, a UK publication that features the best in worldwide graphics and advertising. A very kind elderly man who eventually did include some of my work in subsequent editions. He had visited Boston every year before the war from 1931-1939. Told me East Anglia much better place to visit than the cities here, not hard to believe.
Checked in at Glencourt Hotel in Kensington. Very nice. Long hot baths, clean twin beds. Ruth stayed in doing her hair, I grabbed a bite to eat at Las Vegas snack bar. Not bad, a college crowd, same everywhere. Black jerseys and Levis: Indians, other asians, and continentals, plus a couple of American (or Canadian) girls.
Rang up Victoria Station at 10:30. Booking for train looks good for tomorrow.
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