Opening The Box Of Delights
By Philip W. Errington
Cover art by Clayton Hickman
Opening The Box of Delights
A stunning visual celebration of John Masefield’s Christmas classic
By Philip W. Errington
Price: £20.00
Publisher: Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd, London
Release Date: 29th October 2020
Ordering: Available online from publishers DLT Books as well as Amazon and other retailers
Details:
Type: Hardback cover
Pages: 128
Size: 246 x 189 mm
ISBN Number: 978-0232534870
Review
This new book lifts the lid of The Box Of Delights, the children’s book by John Masefield. Featuring the story of the life of author John Masefield, his writing of The Box Of Delights and it’s many adaptations. Forward written by children’s author Piers Torday.
There is a beautiful cover design by artist Clayton Hickman, entwining a portrait of author John Masefield and his main character Cole Hawlings with a twinkle in his eye, as played in the 1984 TV adaptation by Patrick Troughton. The box is open and sparkling with magic, the whole piece laid against a backdrop of Masefield’s handwritten manuscript of the first page of the book.
The Box Of Delights is explored in great detail and the book includes a number of photos, illustrations, designs, rare manuscripts and letters. The world of Masefield starts from his early life and upbringing, to hardships and various jobs he had before he settled into his writing. There are insights into his inspirations for writing his famous literary creation drawn from his life experiences.
As you turn the pages, rare gems are scattered throughout, such as never before seen writings and artistic drawings. There’s a hand sketched map of Condicote by Masefield and his daughter Judith’s original illustrations.
There’s an overview of the variety of different published book editions. Since the first edition in 1935, the book has been published in a number of different countries with various covers and artists work.
The adaptations are also given an overview, with those who have since taken it to their hearts and been inspired by the book to create performances for radio, television, theatre, dance and music. There is a focus on the hugely popular 1984 BBC TV series which continues to be enjoyed by both young and old.
The book is intensively researched, highly engaging and well written. The author spent his life researching and collecting Masefield material and the book shows it.
This all makes for a fascinating read and is highly recommended.
Book Images
Book Standing
Book Jacket
Book Pages 2 and 3
Book Pages 14 and 15
Book Pages 18 and 19
Book Pages 112 and 113
Author Philip W. Errington
The author Philip W. Errington is considered to be the world’s expert on John Masefield. He has dedicated a lot of time to research and finding rare items. As well as a research associate of the Department of English at University College London, Philip also works as a director and senior specialist in the department of printed books and manuscripts at Sotheby’s. He has edited published editions of The Box Of Delights book and is the archivist at The John Masefield Society which is based in Masefield’s home town of Ledbury in Herefordshire.
Thanks to Philip W. Errington for images of the book.
By: The Box Of Delights Archives
Published: October 29, 2020 Modified: November 1, 2020
The Box Of Delights Archives 
Here are two links for listening to the Author himself.
This First is an enthusiastic in-depth interview and a great listen:
https://tunein.com/podcasts/Film/Hypnogoria-p1146864/?topicId=158595482
HYPNOGORIA 161 – Opening the Box of Delights
11/7/2020
“In this podcast, Mr Jim Moon takes a look at Opening the Box of Delights – a lavish new tome all about that classic Yuletide favourite, and interviews the author, Dr Philip Errington! We talk about the book, The Box of Delights in all its incarnations and its creator John Masefield.”
Duration:00:59:13
(Additionally, the HYPNOGORIa website has several more archived podcasts celebrating our Favorite story.)
This second, is video of the author’s own book presentation via DLT’s YT Channel released December 2020 and is hardly boring:
https://www.youtube.com/user/Dartonlongmantodd
“The world authority on John Masefield, J.K. Rowling’s bibliographer and archivist of The John Masefield Society, Dr. Philip W. Errington delivers the 2020 Annual John Masefield lecture online in association with Darton Longman and Todd.
To mark and celebrate the publication of his 128-page book celebrating John Masefield’s classic Christmas fantasy, Philip discusses (AThe Box of Delights. Highlighting how Masefield used his unhappy childhood and First World War experiences for inspiration, Philip reveals some aspects of the manuscript and original book publication. Noting a few Masefield themes (the Spanish Main, pirates and toy boats), Philip also discusses a number of adaptations, including the classic 1984 BBC TV series.
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