A MOST AMUSING ANGLE
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THE CARTOONIST
Here's a couple of rarities - a publication called The Cartoonist.
This was a large broadsheet sized newspaper that hit the racks in 1993.
It featured UK's best cartoonists and was the brainchild of Steve Way, who was also editor and cartoon contributor.
Unfortunately, after a good start The Cartoonist sales declined, until eventually the paper ground to a halt after only a few months.
The one in the left picture is a dummy run preview issue of which only 100 were printed, so this item is ultra rare, and is dated 11 March 1993.
The issue beside it is the very first one to go into circulation and is dated, amusingly, 1 April 1993.
Each issue had a centre spread poster and the McLachlan example above is a massive 82 x 60cm in dimensions.
This cartoon was published in the 6 October 1993 issue and is titled "John Major's View From The Podium".
This was a large broadsheet sized newspaper that hit the racks in 1993.
It featured UK's best cartoonists and was the brainchild of Steve Way, who was also editor and cartoon contributor.
Unfortunately, after a good start The Cartoonist sales declined, until eventually the paper ground to a halt after only a few months.
The one in the left picture is a dummy run preview issue of which only 100 were printed, so this item is ultra rare, and is dated 11 March 1993.
The issue beside it is the very first one to go into circulation and is dated, amusingly, 1 April 1993.
Each issue had a centre spread poster and the McLachlan example above is a massive 82 x 60cm in dimensions.
This cartoon was published in the 6 October 1993 issue and is titled "John Major's View From The Podium".
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A SMILE IN THE MINDThis is an excellent book.
It was first published in 1996 but mine is the 2003 version. It explores witty ideas in graphic design and so delves into advertising, product packaging, posters and so on. Loads of brilliant examples that are not only inspirational but also leave you beaming with joy. |
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CALABAR CULT
I do all the graphic artwork for a band called Calabar Cult.
What this quartet have in common is, all have ancestors who were forced into slavery in Calabar, Nigeria.
So what better way to depict the band name than by using the shackles & chains of the slave trade.
What this quartet have in common is, all have ancestors who were forced into slavery in Calabar, Nigeria.
So what better way to depict the band name than by using the shackles & chains of the slave trade.
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COMIC FIRSTS
Here's 2 first issues of well known comics side by side.
The Beano first appearing in 1938.
The Dandy making its debut in 1937.
I used to live just along the road from the DC Thomson building in Dundee, and so passed the Beano & Dandy offices on a daily basis.
Mind you, I wasn't around when these 2 vintage classics hit the shelves!
The Beano first appearing in 1938.
The Dandy making its debut in 1937.
I used to live just along the road from the DC Thomson building in Dundee, and so passed the Beano & Dandy offices on a daily basis.
Mind you, I wasn't around when these 2 vintage classics hit the shelves!
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KNIFE & PACKERThis book came out in 2001 and showcases the work of Knife & Packer.
It's called "Better Latte Than Never" and is a compilation of their strips published in Private Eye titled "It's Grim Up North London". The cartoon strips present the everyday adventures of pretentious duo, Jez & Quin. The book also introduces a few other features from their world including the added bonus of some flick book action! |
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ZAHA HADID FLICK BOOKMentioning the flick book in the previous item got me plucking out this contemporary one.
It's by Zaha Hadid Architects, and inside it computer graphics demonstrate the aerodynamic turbulence fields surrounding a vintage aircraft. It also displays a continually changing algorithm that explains the motion in action. Not a work of humour in itself obviously but it's quite funny to see the comparison of early cartoon flick books which were usually for kids, and the evolution made in this example for adults using modern computers! I got this in 2017. |
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BISCUITS v BOWIE
In the late 1980's when I was doing some shopping in Cheltenham, one item I came home with was this biscuit tin I bought in Habitat.
It was the geometric pattern that caught my eye.
Then in 2002 on another shopping spree in Cheltenham, one of the items I came back with was the "Best Of Bowie" DVD.
The opening couple of tracks on it is his 1972 performance on the "Old Grey Whistle Test", and when I watched it I couldn't help notice the design on the costume he was wearing was almost identical to the one on my biscuit tin!
The Tin White Duke later going on to front Tin Machine of course..!!
It was the geometric pattern that caught my eye.
Then in 2002 on another shopping spree in Cheltenham, one of the items I came back with was the "Best Of Bowie" DVD.
The opening couple of tracks on it is his 1972 performance on the "Old Grey Whistle Test", and when I watched it I couldn't help notice the design on the costume he was wearing was almost identical to the one on my biscuit tin!
The Tin White Duke later going on to front Tin Machine of course..!!
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LOWRY BOOKSI've been enjoying the cartoons of Ray Lowry since the 1970's when his work was published in the NME each week.
The music scene was his main theme in his gags, although he did do plenty of war based ones as well. The 2 books here go back to the 1980's. "Only Rock And Roll" was the title of his comic strip in NME and this 1980 book is a compilation of some of those, going back to 1977 when the strip first appeared. "This Space To Let" came out in 1986 and features only single frame cartoons per page, no strips in this one. |
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THE STONES BOOKThis book called "The Stones", showcases the cartoon history of The Rolling Stones.
It has period newspaper cartoons, magazine strips, caricatures and such like, all gleaned from publications from around the globe. The artworks are in chronological order starting in 1964, going through to 2002 and are assisted by the stories behind the cartoons. It's all put together very well by Bill Wyman and was published in 2006. |
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OLD FOOTBALL LP
This comedy LP hit the record racks in 1972 and is titled "Funny Game, Football".
It features a few well known humorists who, on this occasion, called themselves, The Group.
The likes of Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Bill Tidy were in the team and the sketches consist of mock football songs, interview parodies, commentary send ups, tabloid style gossip, exaggerated match memories, that kind of territory.
Bill Tidy did the cover, Neil Innes did the tunes.
It features a few well known humorists who, on this occasion, called themselves, The Group.
The likes of Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Bill Tidy were in the team and the sketches consist of mock football songs, interview parodies, commentary send ups, tabloid style gossip, exaggerated match memories, that kind of territory.
Bill Tidy did the cover, Neil Innes did the tunes.
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GG x CC
I don't do many caricatures, so this one here is a rare example of one of mine that was actually published.
Being from Dundee, my team is Dundee Football Club, and back in the late 1990's/early 2000's I used to get cartoons published in DFC's match-day programme every home game.
I also designed their greetings cards, t-shirts, and a few other items of merchandise.
In the year 2000 they signed well known Argentinian star, Claudia Caniggia.
This in itself generated quite a lot of publicity - what with such an average Scottish team getting hold of a top World Cup legend.
During all this attention CC was receiving, I did this quick caricature of him and also managed to have him sign it.
Then in 2007 when a book about Dundee FC's history was published, the caricature was used as part of the collage on the cover design.
Incidentally, 33 was Caniggia's shirt number.
Being from Dundee, my team is Dundee Football Club, and back in the late 1990's/early 2000's I used to get cartoons published in DFC's match-day programme every home game.
I also designed their greetings cards, t-shirts, and a few other items of merchandise.
In the year 2000 they signed well known Argentinian star, Claudia Caniggia.
This in itself generated quite a lot of publicity - what with such an average Scottish team getting hold of a top World Cup legend.
During all this attention CC was receiving, I did this quick caricature of him and also managed to have him sign it.
Then in 2007 when a book about Dundee FC's history was published, the caricature was used as part of the collage on the cover design.
Incidentally, 33 was Caniggia's shirt number.
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THE PRINCE AND THE PAPERI mentioned in the previous item that I don't do much in the way of caricatures, but here's a rather unusual one I did back in 1982.
Prince Charles is who it is, although I'm sure you will have spotted the resemblance OK! This was the era when he and Di were always making the headlines. So me being unimpressed with all this media saturation he was getting, decided to bring him down a few notches by making this portrait from scrap bits of paper. A monarchy mugshot masterpiece! |
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CHICKEN BOYIn 2014, I bought some arty gear from a place in Los Angeles called Future Studio Design.
It sells unique pop culture items, unusual art objects and exclusive gifts, as well as having gallery space. The building itself, however, has this 30ft sculpted figure called Chicken Boy on top of the roof! This is a card I got showing the freaky fowl looking over the neighbourhood. It was installed in 2007 and has gone on to become a bit of an iconic landmark. |
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PRIVATE EYE AT THE V&A
This Private Eye exhibition took place at the V&A in London in 2011 and was to celebrate the magazine's 50th year in biz.
It was very well presented with tons of material on display - magazine covers, original cartoons, books, recordings, court letters, video screen, and even a segment of Hislop's office was on show!
Needless to say it was really entertaining.
I ended up taking around 2 dozen photos when I was there, so these ones here are just a sample to give a general idea as to how it looked.
Something amusing that happened was - the V&A has many rooms in the building and next door to where the Private Eye exhibition was, there is a room devoted to Buddha. All kinds of statues, carvings and sculptures from Asia and the Orient.
The room also had a respectful silence, and when I was in tiptoeing around, there was a guy sitting on the floor in the lotus position, meditating, taking advantage of the serenity.
However, this peaceful calm was regularly interrupted by bursts of laughter coming the the Private Eye room!
It got me wondering if he was able to block out all the sounds of laughter from entering his psyche, or if he was cursing the chuckles suffering in silence!
It was very well presented with tons of material on display - magazine covers, original cartoons, books, recordings, court letters, video screen, and even a segment of Hislop's office was on show!
Needless to say it was really entertaining.
I ended up taking around 2 dozen photos when I was there, so these ones here are just a sample to give a general idea as to how it looked.
Something amusing that happened was - the V&A has many rooms in the building and next door to where the Private Eye exhibition was, there is a room devoted to Buddha. All kinds of statues, carvings and sculptures from Asia and the Orient.
The room also had a respectful silence, and when I was in tiptoeing around, there was a guy sitting on the floor in the lotus position, meditating, taking advantage of the serenity.
However, this peaceful calm was regularly interrupted by bursts of laughter coming the the Private Eye room!
It got me wondering if he was able to block out all the sounds of laughter from entering his psyche, or if he was cursing the chuckles suffering in silence!
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PRIVATE EYE AT 50
These are 2 books that Private Eye published to mark the occasion of their 50th birthday.
The cream coloured one is an A-Z encyclopedia of all things connected to the magazine - the people who run it, the journalists, the cartoonists, historical information, various magazine features past and present, celebs involved, the lowdown behind the scenes and plenty of other good stuff in amongst the wide variety on parade.
Alphabet scoop on every page!
The grey coloured book came out in 2013 and presents 5 decades of Private Eye's cartoon history.
It's all done in chronological order, with almost 300 pages worth of gags.
Top notch it is too!
The cream coloured one is an A-Z encyclopedia of all things connected to the magazine - the people who run it, the journalists, the cartoonists, historical information, various magazine features past and present, celebs involved, the lowdown behind the scenes and plenty of other good stuff in amongst the wide variety on parade.
Alphabet scoop on every page!
The grey coloured book came out in 2013 and presents 5 decades of Private Eye's cartoon history.
It's all done in chronological order, with almost 300 pages worth of gags.
Top notch it is too!
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JOHN LENNON BOOKThere is a scene in The Beatles film "Help", where John Lennon reads (and kisses) his own book.
Well this is the one - called "A Spaniard In The Works". It was published in 1965 and the material consists of humorous short stories, whimsical poetry and cartoony illustrations. Kinda similar to Spike Milligan & Ivor Cutler in style. |
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IT'S KNOT A JOKE
In the early 1970's when I was at school, a classmate came in one day wearing a tie around his waist.
This wasn't a fashion statement mind you - he explained that because his belt snapped when he was getting dressed in the morning, this was an improvised solution to keeping his trousers up.
It was only supposed to be a temporary situation but he ended up wearing the tie for many weeks before he did eventually get a proper replacement.
So, just as Monty Python had a character called Arthur "2 sheds" Jackson, we ended up calling our classmate Alan "tie for belt" Gibson!
Forward-wind a few decades, and I decide to treat myself to a pair of oriental-style baggy trousers from a store in South Korea.
These came with the huge chunky black rope, as in the photo above - and so now it's my turn to keep my trousers up using a belt substitute.
This is a fashion statement, and here's a snap of me wearing it.
Just don't go calling me G "rope for belt G..!!
This wasn't a fashion statement mind you - he explained that because his belt snapped when he was getting dressed in the morning, this was an improvised solution to keeping his trousers up.
It was only supposed to be a temporary situation but he ended up wearing the tie for many weeks before he did eventually get a proper replacement.
So, just as Monty Python had a character called Arthur "2 sheds" Jackson, we ended up calling our classmate Alan "tie for belt" Gibson!
Forward-wind a few decades, and I decide to treat myself to a pair of oriental-style baggy trousers from a store in South Korea.
These came with the huge chunky black rope, as in the photo above - and so now it's my turn to keep my trousers up using a belt substitute.
This is a fashion statement, and here's a snap of me wearing it.
Just don't go calling me G "rope for belt G..!!
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WILL POWER
In 1982, I went to see Echo & The Bunnymen play in Dundee. A really cool gig it was too.
3 or so decades later in 2004, I went to the Ochre Festival in Gloucester. A variety of underground acts were on, with one of them being Glide.
Glide is basically, ex Bunnymen guitarist, Will Sergeant. On the night he was doing some experimental trippy soundtrack biz.
The difference in Will's approach to his guitar was quite amusing to witness after a 32 year gap.
In Dundee he was most often strumming his guitar with a rather delicate sensitive touch.
In Gloucester, he placed his guitar on top of a bench and repeatedly whacked it with a cane!
3 or so decades later in 2004, I went to the Ochre Festival in Gloucester. A variety of underground acts were on, with one of them being Glide.
Glide is basically, ex Bunnymen guitarist, Will Sergeant. On the night he was doing some experimental trippy soundtrack biz.
The difference in Will's approach to his guitar was quite amusing to witness after a 32 year gap.
In Dundee he was most often strumming his guitar with a rather delicate sensitive touch.
In Gloucester, he placed his guitar on top of a bench and repeatedly whacked it with a cane!
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BEFORE & AFTER
On the subject of guitarists, here's a before and after sequence I captured in Gloucester.
The photo on the left was taken around the start of the new millennium. This was in the garden of the Chicago Rock Cafe which had just opened and the guitarist was brand new. As you can see, the sculpture is made out of all sorts of scrap metal objects and it looks as if he's in mid solo.
The picture next to it was taken recently in 2017. The cafe by this time had been closed down for a few years and not only was the building in decay, the garden area was also neglected and had overgrown quite noticibly.
I took the 2nd snap from the back vantage point because you can see the plants that have made their way through the structure better. Looks as if he's sprouted a Jimi Hendrix afro!
The photo on the left was taken around the start of the new millennium. This was in the garden of the Chicago Rock Cafe which had just opened and the guitarist was brand new. As you can see, the sculpture is made out of all sorts of scrap metal objects and it looks as if he's in mid solo.
The picture next to it was taken recently in 2017. The cafe by this time had been closed down for a few years and not only was the building in decay, the garden area was also neglected and had overgrown quite noticibly.
I took the 2nd snap from the back vantage point because you can see the plants that have made their way through the structure better. Looks as if he's sprouted a Jimi Hendrix afro!
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ROYAL MAIL 80's POSTCARDS
This is a set of postcards published by the Royal Mail in 1983.
All 4 cartoons are on the subject of the postal service.
Artwork done by McLachlan, Mahood and 2 x Honeysett's.
All 4 cartoons are on the subject of the postal service.
Artwork done by McLachlan, Mahood and 2 x Honeysett's.
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ARTY CARDS"The Deck Of Cards" came out in 1979 and the idea behind it was to have 52 different artists create a card each.
There were quite a few big names involved such as David Hockney, Patrick Heron, Howard Hodgkin and Patrick Caulfield. I've selected 4 of the more amusing ones from the pack. 9 of Diamonds by Richard Smith. Looks like an ace but is divided into 9 segments. 2 of Spades by Julian Cooper. 2 spades in mid dig. 10 of Clubs by Maggi Hambling. At the gambling table. 8 of Hearts by Derek Hirst. Red morphing to blue. |
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THE GOONS EP DOODLES
I like all the doodle style activity taking place on both sides of The Goons EP cover dating from the mid 1950's.
Lots of quirky little situations scattered about.
I thought on first glance it might be the work of Spike Milligan, but they are more stylised than his.
They were in fact drawn by illustrator, Rex Moreton.
Lots of quirky little situations scattered about.
I thought on first glance it might be the work of Spike Milligan, but they are more stylised than his.
They were in fact drawn by illustrator, Rex Moreton.
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THESIS IN WONDERLAND
One moody day back in 1996, I went for a photo session in a village called Cowley, in the Cotswolds.
I ended up taking a few snapshots in the grounds of Cowley Manor. The manor had been closed down for a while and was deserted so I just went roaming around the garden area without any trouble.
These are a couple of photos of the fountain which was really run down, although I rather liked it in this decayed condition. It got me imagining it being used as a video backdrop for a Goth band!
Anyway, Lewis Carroll used to visit the manor back in his day, and it's said that this is where he was inspired to write Alice In Wonderland.
A lesser known fact, however, is that the manor was once owned by the Horlick family, the makers of the famous sleep inducing milky drinks, "Horlicks".
So it would be amusing to think that perhaps the idea of Alice falling asleep and dreaming of Wonderland was based on a Horlick's "drink me" nightcap!
Then to emphasise it, a big pot of Horlicks at the tea party keeping the dormouse drowsy!
I ended up taking a few snapshots in the grounds of Cowley Manor. The manor had been closed down for a while and was deserted so I just went roaming around the garden area without any trouble.
These are a couple of photos of the fountain which was really run down, although I rather liked it in this decayed condition. It got me imagining it being used as a video backdrop for a Goth band!
Anyway, Lewis Carroll used to visit the manor back in his day, and it's said that this is where he was inspired to write Alice In Wonderland.
A lesser known fact, however, is that the manor was once owned by the Horlick family, the makers of the famous sleep inducing milky drinks, "Horlicks".
So it would be amusing to think that perhaps the idea of Alice falling asleep and dreaming of Wonderland was based on a Horlick's "drink me" nightcap!
Then to emphasise it, a big pot of Horlicks at the tea party keeping the dormouse drowsy!
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TEA CHIMPS
Talking about cuppas, I took this picture in 2016.
A couple of chimps enjoying a tea break.
This amusing piece of stencil work was done by Beastie and was on the shutter doors of a cafe in Gloucester called Peppers.
A couple of chimps enjoying a tea break.
This amusing piece of stencil work was done by Beastie and was on the shutter doors of a cafe in Gloucester called Peppers.
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SIGNED JENSEN BOOK
After a nose around the Cartoon Museum in London in 2006, I went to their gift shop area and purchased a few things.
One of the items I got was this exhibition book by John Jensen called "Flotsam & Jensen".
A tidy little publication of Jensen's cartoons & illustrations showcasing his many different drawing styles.
Being purchased from the gift shop, I assumed it was brand new but when I got home and opened it I saw Jensen had signed it back in 2002.
Not only that but it's written "For Brian, thanks for visiting".
Who he I wonder??
Oh well, never mind - thanks for leaving your book behind, Brian, it's nice to have Jensen's signature!
One of the items I got was this exhibition book by John Jensen called "Flotsam & Jensen".
A tidy little publication of Jensen's cartoons & illustrations showcasing his many different drawing styles.
Being purchased from the gift shop, I assumed it was brand new but when I got home and opened it I saw Jensen had signed it back in 2002.
Not only that but it's written "For Brian, thanks for visiting".
Who he I wonder??
Oh well, never mind - thanks for leaving your book behind, Brian, it's nice to have Jensen's signature!
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THE LIFE OF BRIANPerhaps the "Brian" in the previous feature is this one here!
This is a pretty classy book displaying the work of illustrator/graphic designer/artist, Brian Grimwood. It covers his early history from around the 1960's, and goes through to when the book was published which was 2012. Lots of witty and clever ideas to enjoy. Some of his artwork, however, is so influenced by Picasso & Matisse, that's it's sometimes difficult to see Brian in them! Anyway, a very nice publication to delve into. |
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