Robert Gibbings

Back in May before my op I had a short break in Scotland visiting friends Nick and Margaret who live near Dumfries. Nick took us into town one rainy afternoon and we happily mooched around charity shops and admired the splendid buildings. We also found a book fair in the town hall, which was very exciting. But slightly worrying for me  as I know I am shortly going to be tempted by treasures. It is an addiction for me ... and there were many treasures. Many early Edward Ardizonne children's books which I fondled achingly and went back to many times, thinking I could just go without food for a month and be happy knowing they were safe in my hands. And then Nick spotted this, irresistibly titled A True Tale of Love in Tonga by Robert Gibbings. I have since found that he was the publisher of The Golden Cockerel Press and here you will find a delightful little British Pathe film all about him. The cover was enough for me ... but each page has beautiful engravings by Robert ... it is a wonder. Paul kindly bought it for me as an early birthday present and I actually have it propped up next to the computer as the front image is so inspiring as a piece of beautiful design and the fact that despite not being a lover of yellow, I am reminded that with the right arguement you can be easily swayed to a different view. I am loving this particular shade of yellow ... with inky black is GOOD!