Charles van Sandwyk: Collecting the Ephemera
The list below provides a comprehensive starting point regarding ephemera associated with the art books of Charles van Sandwyk for the interested collector. It includes various exhibition posters, prospectuses, and other interesting items that were released along with the books, ranging from letters from Toad of Toad Hall (Wind in the Willows) to Fairy Money. Where images are not available, I have made an effort to provide links to library deposits where you can view the items if you happen to be nearby. (List last updated October 2020). By their nature, these items are usually very difficult to track down, but the most likely place to find them is through Abes.
I have also prepared separate pages with a collector’s guide to his books, as well as a selection of artworks and cards.
List of Charles van Sandwyk Ephemera
c1980s
Figurines – made by Charles as a teenager (1-2″ tall).
1984
Charles van Sandwyk’s First Exhibition – postcard for the exhibition, held in Deep Cove, Vancouver, in 1984 when Charles was 18.
A copy of the postcard along with two photographs and an etching from the show are available in the University of British Columbia Library.
1985
A Celebration of Nature Exhibition – poster for Charles’ second exhibition, held in Salmagundi, Vancouver, 1985
A copy of the poster and curator’s notes are available in the University of British Columbia Library.
1987
Rara Avis Exhibition – poster for a second exhibition held in Salmagundi, Vancouver, 1987
A copy of the poster and associated artwork is available in the University of British Columbia Library.
1987
A Selection of Neighbourly Birds – Prospectus
Copies are available in the Bruce Peel Special Collections at the University of Alberta, and the University of British Columbia Library.
1988
South for the Winter – poster for an exhibition at Tigers Cafe, Vancouver (24 November – 7 December 1988).
1989
Paintings from the South Pacific – poster for an exhibition at Tigers Cafe, Vancouver (23 November – 6 December 1989).
1990
Parrots of the Cannibal Islands – Prospectus for a collection of art prints on “Five Endemic Species of Psittaciformes Found in the Fiji Islands”
1991
Tropical Bounty – poster for an exhibition at Tigers Cafe, Vancouver (26 November – 8 December 1991).
1991
Glimpses of Paradise – poster for an exhibition at the Surrey Art Gallery, Surrey (1991)
Copies of the double-sided poster are available in the Bruce Peel Special Collections at the University of Alberta, and the University of British Columbia Library.
1992
New Work from the South Seas: paintings and prints by Charles van Sandwyk – poster for an exhibition at Tiger Cafe, Vancouver (26 November – 6 December 1992).
1992
Parade to Paradise – poster for an exhibition at Tiger Cafe, Vancouver
Three designs, lithographic edition of 12 copies released. Copies are available in the Bruce Peel Special Collections at the University of Alberta, and the University of British Columbia Library.
1992
Memorial Keepsake for George Knapp
A memorial keepsake by Charles van Sandwyk for his high school art teacher. A copy is available in the Bruce Peel Special Collections at the University of Alberta
1993
Christmas Card Collection
A set of three fine art cards, with illustrations from Parade to Paradise, Wind in the Willows, and an original design for the National Library of Canada. A copy is available in the Bruce Peel Special Collections at the University of Alberta
1994
Set of Card Shells
A set of card shells, released by The Fairy Press. A copy is available in the University of British Columbia Library.
1995
Sketches from the Dream Island of Birds and Other Paintings – poster for an exhibition of watercolours, sketches and etchings, from three new books by Charles van Sandwyk at Tigers Cafe, Vancouver (29 November – 8 December 1995).
Five different poster designs released, including a sunset, an elephant palm, a parrot and a portrait of a Fiji resident. A prospectus was also released.
1995
Postcards from a Tropic Isle – 13 postcards of Fiji, enclosed in a paper envelope.
The outer wrappings feature different images from the postcards. The verso of each card bears the crest of “Tavewa Island, Paradise”.
1995
Bookmarks from the Dream Island of Birds – two designs.
A set of the bookmarks is available in the Bruce Peel Special Collections at the University of Alberta
1997
Life is Art: an exhibition of paintings and prints by Charles van Sandwyk, spanning the years 1980-1997 – poster and invitation for an exhibition at Seymour Art Gallery
Two poster designs (turtle and owl) and an invitation featuring an owl triptych.
1997
Sketches from a Tropic Isle – lithograph posters.
Reproductions from Sketches from a Tropic Isle, set of 5, edition of 100.
Copies are available in the Bruce Peel Special Collections at the University of Alberta
1998
Chanticleer Fine China Set – crockery produced by the Australian Fine China company.
Two rooster and hen designs printed on porcelain mugs, plates and bowls.
1999
Animal Wisdom Calendar (2000) – A monthly calendar featuring mounted illustrations from Animal Wisdom. Published by CVS Fine Arts in 1999 for the year 2000. 12p, 19cm x 26cm.
2000
Gnome King’s Treasure Song – promotional poster for Charles’ book ‘The Gnome King’s Treasure Song’.
A copy of the poster and press proof for the book are available in the University of British Columbia Library.
2000
Painter Mouse Triptych – Invitation to an exhibition for the Painter Mouse.
Three colour prints mounted on decorative cardstock.
2000
Wedding Invitations
Cards on file at BSC. A copy is available in the University of British Columbia Library.
2002
The Meaning of Mice – invitation to an exhibition
On file at UBC
2005
Wind in the Willows ephemera, including
– Exhibition poster and notecard for a reading at the Seymour Art Gallery, Vancouver
– Poster for a public talk
2005
Literary Companions – bookmarks and bookplate (archer mouse or literary lion on cover)
2005
Postcards from a Dream Island of Birds – card collection
2006
Etchings from Dream Island – invitation
Invitation to attend a presentation of recent etchings by Cvs from Dream Island and Wind in the Willows, 25 March 2006.
2006
Rimmerfest: A Jim Rimmer celebration – poster
Poster with owl etching. Jim Rimmer was well-known graphic artist, printer, and type designer and caster who worked in Vancouver.
The poster along with a video recording from the festival are available in the University of British Columbia Library and SFU Bennett Library. Picture courtesy of SFU Bennett Library.
2006
Amphora Number 143 – Journal of the Alcuin Society
Includes “Emerging from the Willows” article by Rollin Milroy
2007
Impressions of Vancouver – poster for an exhibition at the University of Alberta’s Bruce Peel Special Collections Library, titled “Impressions of Vancouver: Disciples of the Book Arts” (February – April 2007).
The exhibition offered a series of impressions of a number of Vancouver-based artists and artisans (papermakers, typographers, letterpress printers, etc.).
2008
Simonides 521 – poster
A short fragment of a piece by the Greek lyric poet Simonides that references a dragonfly (translated by Danielle S. Allen), accompanied by a print of a blue dragonfly. Part of a larger series including artwork by other artists. (Joint Meeting, Zamorano & Roxburghe Clubs, October 2008. 5in x 11in sheet.)
A copy of this work is available in the Bruce Peel Special Collections and the University of British Columbia Library.
2008
Mr Rabbit’s Symphony of Nature – poster and invitations
2008
Twenty-one years, twenty-one prints – poster for an exhibition at the Arts on the Atlantic Gallery, Calgary (2008)
A copy of the poster is available in the University of British Columbia Library.
2008
Wind in the Willows (limited edition) ephemera, including
- Letter from Toad (Folio Society advertising ‘tickler’)
- Publisher’s prospectus
- Notecard for a talk at the Objects of Desire Art Fair, London (2008)
2009
The Realm of Fantasy: watercolours, drawings, etchings and artist books by Charles van Sandwyk inspired by the great works of Arthur Rackham, Arts on Atlantic Gallery, Calgary – poster and note card for an exhibition held at the Arts on the Atlantic Gallery, Calgary (December 2009).
A copy of the poster is available in the University of British Columbia Library.
2009
The Savuti Press – poster & brochure announcing the launch of the private press of Charles van Sandwyk and Waisiki Doughty.
A limited edition of 50 hand-coloured copies.
2009
Canadian Content launch – invitation
Invitation to launch Canadian Content at the Joyce Williams Gallery, 12 December 2009.
2010
Vancouver Antiquarian Book Fair – flyer
Flyer for the Vancouver Antiquarian Book Fair, 15-16 October 2010, featuring Charles’ Tree Scribe.
2010
Will o’ the Wisps maquette – unique copy
5 frames, each about 4×6 inches. A precursor to one of CvS’s miniature books.
2010
Mouse Calendar
2011
Genuine Fairy Money
Small envelopes containing a few notes of fairy money. One envelope has a small etching of a fairy head on front cover with “Genuine Fairy Money” written beneath, another has a marbled cover with the title “Fairy Money Buys True Happiness”. The notes measure 5.25cm x 7cm and are made of textured beige paper. One type of note is decorated with an etched image of a baby fairy in a circular frame and is labelled “Faery Money: one bunch of goose berries”. Another shows an image of a bird and a nest and says “Good for birds eggs by the dozen”. The last is decorated with leaves and reads “This note is worthy of the equivalent of one basket of mushrooms”.
2011
Deep Cove Banners
Charles designed two banners for the village of Deep Cove in North Vancouver (where he resides for part of the year), depicting two scenes from Deep Cove.
A copy of the banners is available in the University of British Columbia Library.
2011
An intimate look into the world & works of Charles van Sandwyk – poster for an exhibition at the Artemis Gallery, 22 September 2011.
A ‘spur-of-the-moment’ exhibition to celebrate the arrival of new street banners designed by Charles for his neighbours in the Cove.
2011
Quality Time – poster & program for a concert at Deep Cove Shaw Theatre, 1 September 2011
An evening of songs, stories and slides featuring Charles van Sandwyk and the Brandywine Boys, presented by First Impressions Theatre.
2012
Betwixt and Between – catalog of an exhibition held at UBC Library
The title is taken from a line from Charles’ earlier work Sketches from the Dream Isle of Birds: “The birds are above, the fish are below, and we are betwixt and between.” This is a descriptive catalogue produced to accompany the 2011 UBC exhibition of the same name that explored some of the connections between van Sandwyk and the artists, writers and teachers who inspired his artistic career.
Invitations and catalogues.
2012
Tavewa Island Map
Tavewa Island is part of the Fiji Islands, where Charles resides for part of the year.
2012
Deep Cover Banners (2)
Charles’ original banners hung in the Cove until they succumbed to the elements, and two new sets of banners were commissioned. They feature a bear and fish partnered with a line of Charles’ poetry (“… a place of such magnificence can only set you free …”), and two raccoons paddling a canoe. The banners can be found on lampposts along Gallant and Banbury.
(Bear banner image by Mike Wakefield.)
2013
Charles van Sandwyk and the Children’s Literary Tradition – poster (two versions)
2013
An Afternoon with Charles van Sandwyk – poster for a talk at the Irving K Barber Learning Centre, UBC.
2013-2018
Sea to Sky All British Rally Car Medallions
Charles designed the commemorative plaque for the Sea to Sky All British Rally, an annual event that gives participants the opportunity to drive one of the world’s most scenic roads, the Sea-to-Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler, British Columbia.The outside ring is coloured differently for different years.
2013-2018
Tree Whispers Poem
A unique copy of the poem, precursor to the book published later. Along with a draft of the first few pages.
2015
Alice in Wonderland LE ephemera, including
- White Rabbit Proclamation (Folio Society ‘tickler’)
- Publisher’s prospectus
2016-2018
High Branch Society ephemera
n.d.
Press Proofs
Signed press proofs of various publications are occasionally released for sale and/or deposited in libraries across Canada.
n.d.
Various Promotional Materials
including business cards & bookmarks.
2 Comments
John Pump · 17 February 2019 at 6:55 am
Looking forward to further posts
Daisy · 17 February 2019 at 6:58 am
Thanks – a few more updates coming this weekend ?