Peter Cross
Filed Under graphic design
Do you remember the date that you told your parents what you wanted to be when you grew up? You know, like an astronaut or a cowboy? Although my aspirations weren’t as unrealistic, I do remember when I wanted to grow up to be an artist. For Christmas in 1985, I received Trouble for Trumpets. This wonderfully illustrated book has been read countless times since and has survived in one piece (including the tattered dust jacket) after a dozen or so moves. Even today as an adult and a graphic designer, the 32-pages of artwork by Peter Cross is mesmerizing and still an inspiration. I wish I could tell you to rush out and pick up this masterpiece from your local bookstore, but it has been out of print since the time my Aunt purchased it in 1985. It is possible to find it on used book websites, but they run for anywhere from $80 to $200 USD. I saw mint condition copy with its dust jacket go for over $500 on eBay!
Equally as rare is the follow-up book, Trumpets in Grumpetland. First published in 1984 in England (1985 in the US), it has been on my wishlist for many years. Again though, like Trouble, it is out-of-print and in a price range out-of-touch for many. A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to find a copy online for $25. The seller didn’t seem to know that the book goes for $50-475, or maybe they were and I just purchased a book torn to shreds and colored with crayon by up to 23 years of children.
This was not the case!
Today I the Postman dropped off a beautiful copy of Trumpets in Grumpetland! Being Saturday, I spent an hour to “read” the 32-page book. Although it doesn’t have the same depth and detail as Trouble does, the artwork by Peter Cross is still beautiful and meets my high expectations. (I had been waiting 22 years, mind you!)
This ends my collection of Peter Cross books, sadly. He has moved into the greeting card industry and has done some equally-exceptional work. But no more Trumpets. No more Grumpets. If you search for reviews of these books, most will end by asking some important questions: Why hasn’t these two books been reprinted? Why didn’t they release a third title, which Trumpets in Grumpetland hints at? I think these books should be shared with children for generations, but without parents having to shell out a ton of money! A campaign should be started to bring these books back into print, but those who have seen the artwork most likely own the books, thus a Catch 22 is created.
So what to do? My answer is to post some of the artwork here on my website. I hope I don’t end up like a Trumpet and get in trouble for doing this, but the art must continue to be shared!
Trumpets in Grumpetland:
This one can be zoomed in on to see the richness of the artwork and the hidden “easter eggs” (it takes a while to load):
