Monday, 16 March 2015

Secrets of the Barlow Boy Scout revealed


Coronation Street Blog reader Christina Drakos emailed in to ask about the history of the picture that hangs on the wall in the entry of the Barlow household. With a little bit of help from the lovely people at ITV we can reveal the following about the picture.

The picture in the Barlow's house is called “Wayfarer” and the Boy Scouts Association owns the original.

Copies can be obtained from Howarth & Wrightons Ltd. Unit 2, Cricket Street, Denton, Manchester, M34 3DR, telephone 0161 335 0220.

We also have it on good authority that the following is the true provenance of the picture:

The Pathfinder (1913) shows a young Scout with the hand of Jesus Christ on his shoulder. It was widely circulated as a print, and a copy has featured on the set of the television soap opera, Coronation Street since 1961. One of two original versions of The Pathfinder, together with a number of Carlos's other Scouting works, are held at Gilwell Park in Essex, the headquarters of The Scout Association.


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6 comments:

  1. Thanks I was owndering about this painting too. I thought it was Light of the World by Hunt but when I looked it up it clearly wasnt. I think Ken would like preraphaelite paintings though especilaly ones in Manchester !

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  2. There was one in my granny's house many years ago. It was in a frame.

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  3. I recently purchased a framed print of The Pathfinder at The Emporium in Ramsgate, instantly recognising it as Ken Barlow's hall picture. Imagine my joy.

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  4. Cheers, for years ive loved this painting.

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  5. Anyone notice when the Wayfarer print came down? Ken must be heartbroken, as are we.

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  6. I wrote the message above and noticed your misprint. The Wayfarer is the Weatherfield bus service. The painting is entitled The Pathfinder. (Prints available online!)

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