THE WHITBREAD FESTIVAL ALMANACK

Large format calendar ring bound at the top. 12 exquisite coloured illustrations by john Leigh Pemberton, one for each month on thin catd interleaved with tissue style paper with printed text. Produced for the famous brewery showing scenes of conviviality across the ages right up to date. The text by James Laver with verses by Richard Usborne. john Leigh Pemberton was born 1911 and was educated at Eton; he studied art in London between 1928 and 1932. During the Second World War he was a flying instructor for the RAF and was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1945. As well as his book illustrations, Leigh-Pemberton carried out advertising work and decorated a number of ships.He also did work for the Shell Guides series. However perhaps his best-known work was carried out for the Ladybird series of books for children, where he wrote and illustrated many of the series dealing with natural history subjects. Richard Usborne (1910 - 2006) wrote several books on P G Wodehouse and the memorable 'Clubland Heroes.' At the time of this calendar he was working at The Strand magazine. Very good indeed.…