Well its been a good few months here collecting vintage space books for my library. Xmas and birthday brought some newer items, but ive also been scouring the second hand martket for older sixties pieces. I was quite surprised to find this Walls Moon Fleet Captains Log on ebay recently.
Given away as a premium with Walls Sky Ray lollies, the little cards were slotted inside the wrapper and could be stored in this little mail away booklet. As there are 48 cards, Walls decided to split the album into two, with this one being the second half covering cards 25-48.
Issued around 1966, it is pre-moon landing and features more speculative art for the Apollo Project. It also looks ahead to space stations and interplanetary travel.
The interesting thing for me is that the illustrations were developed with Kenneth Gatland and artist Jack Woods, who produced the excellent Frontiers of Space book. The Log acknowledges their involvement in the back, but you can clearly see the similarity in the card and book artwork.
Gatlands space books were always a staple for me as a kid and his work is full of great illustrations and unusual vehicles.
I just need to find the first part of the log book set now.
Gatlands space books were always a staple for me as a kid and his work is full of great illustrations and unusual vehicles.
Wow, never seen the Walls album before. I think I did have the hardback book at some point.
ReplyDeleteIt was a new one on me, as Ive only ever seen a wallchart and the badge
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous find that Walls log book is Wotan.
ReplyDeleteNot unlike the Brooke Bond Tea card book, The Race Into Space.
Race into Space cards are an iconic part of my collection. Absolutely love that set. Took me ages to get No.13 Ranger as a kid. Ive got about 3 albums now and loads of spares.
DeleteCracking find, Bill. Excellent condition for its age and I love the magical written details left by the original child owner. A direct link with someones childhood. I appreciate these little finds which link strangers together over the decades.
ReplyDeleteYes, I often wonder if the owner is grown up and reading the blog too. Its in remarkable condition too and has the full run of cards too!
DeleteI remember having both books, but never managed to get the whole set of cards!
ReplyDelete