Previous Covers

i) Definitely looks to be the oldest cover, very plain, very simple. It says nothing of the book itself, so is of little help. Still, it does show how long the book has been about, and with it being re-printed again, it must be worth reading.

(ii) Holds reminders of ‘Step-toe and son’. So therefore has a personal comical association. It is feared however that this distracts from the intentions of the original designer and photographer of the cover. It shows two gents in a public house in the 1950s / 60’s, the age range similar to that of a father and son. There is a pint of Irelands finest and an ash tray on the bar. The composition does not show the gentlemen interacting with each other; they are looking out of frame as if talking to other friends. The theme of alcohol runs very strongly throughout the book and the image of an ashtray may help with ideas.

(iii) This is a very 60’s in-your-face design. It is extremely bold and brash, not something that would be seen on a Penguin Classic book of today. It is composed of four squares of colour making up the bottom two-thirds and a banner of blue at the top which holds the title. Within each of the squares appears to be a bird-at-swim, again of differing colours. The theme of the birds-at-swim appears.

(iv) A simple idea of a bowler hat on top of sheets of a hand written manuscript. This gives the imagining of an old-style gentleman sitting down at his table, removing his bowler hat, getting out his writing equipment and focusing intently on composing his book. The intriguing point about this cover are the figures that have been made from out of sheets of the manuscript; there are three figures that seem to be running menacingly towards the hat, almost rioting, rebelling against something.

(v) A table surface, with a pencil and a glass on it. Does not really seem very indicative of the story, at least not until closer attention is paid. There are three marks on the table where the glass has been, two of the marks are in the shape of birds; birds formed of condensed water from the outside of the glass – very clever. It could represent the sight that would be seen by the author in the book when he looks down at the table in front of him.