Posted by Geraint_Lewis on July 16, 2008 at 19:56:29 user Geraint_Lewis.
In Reply to: Re: TARS burgee model? posted by Elizabeth on July 16, 2008 at 23:17:12:
Elizabeth
Thanks. I can indeed see that there are two separate issues here. Firstly, what burgee (if any in particular) was AR drawing on Goblin? Secondly, how was the TARS burgee created (and was it in any way inspired by AR's drawings).
On the first question, it might be worth refering to the picture "on the crosstrees" in We Didn't Mean to go to Sea (ie the one of John sitting on the crosstrees). In my 1969 Puffin edition the burgee shows up clearly. There is no sign of a white (or light coloured) design against the dark background of the "pointed" half of the burgee. It simply appears as a uniform dark colour. Meanwhile, the dark design on the white part of the burgee looks like a credible representation of the RCC cross.
The same impression is given on my 1974 Puffin edition illustration of "Blue Peter at the Crosstrees" in Secret Water. Again, there is no sign of a white design. I do wonder, therefore, whether the lighter patch you can see in your Godine edition is the result of poor quality reproduction?
Both illustrations show the burgee well, and I'm inclined to think that it looks a lot more like the Royal Cruising Club burgee than that of the Cruising Association. It is hard to see why, if AR was trying to draw the CA burgee, he showed the dark and light portions the wrong way around.
On the second issue, I'm sorry to say I can't help at all. I've no idea who originally designed the TARS burgee, nor the creative design process they went through. Maybe AR's drawing(s) did play a conscious or subconscious role in that. Presumably some of those who were around at the time may know.
Best wishes
Geraint