Masquerade by kit williams with full color paintings by the author. Christopher kit williams born 28 april 1946 is an english artist, illustrator and author best known for his 1979 book masquerade, a pictorial storybook which contains clues to the location of a golden 18 carat jewelled hare created by williams and then buried somewhere in britain. Secret location english artists writing a book artist at work a good man the dreamers art gallery kit sketchbooks. All kit williams artwork ships within 48 hours and includes a 30day moneyback guarantee. Masquerade features fifteen detailed paintings illustrating the story of a hare named jack hare, who seeks to carry a treasure from the moon.
The story of what happened with the treasure hunt is fascinating, but the book and artwork stand on their own. Rare 1980 first edition hardcover illustrated childrens book. Apr 06, 2019 in 1979, artist kit williams published masquerade a storybook decorated with paintings whose intricacies held clues that would lead the successful sleuth to an 18carat golden hare. In 1979, the british artist kit williams buried a golden hare in a bedfordshire hillside. Masquerade, a story book and puzzle by kit williams, masquerades paintings also by kit williams had clues to the location of a golden hare, buried treasure hidden somewhere in britain. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Masquerade kit williams first edition 1979 vintage picture book. Treasures, masquerade, kit williams, first american edition, 1980, a treasure hunt. Christopher kit williams born 28 april 1946 is an english artist, illustrator and author best known for his 1979 book masquerade, a pictorial storybook which contains clues to the location of a golden 18 carat jewelled hare. Highly recommend this book to curious children of any age. Colour illustrations throughout by kit williams in 1976 tom maschler of jonathan cape saw some of williamss artwork and was so enraptured by it that he was convinced that he could do a book with him, probably a childrens book or a book of his paintings.
About kit williams artist and author of masquerade kit williams has worked as a figurative painter for the last 45 years and along the way has published four books. But the wheels of bankruptcy do grind, slowly yet relentlessly. For three years, treasureseekers from both sides of the atlantic sought a fabulous golden hare buried by artist kit williams. On each painting there are several pieces of information. Kit williams newly refurbished clock in cheltenham is also worth the journey. Masquerade by kit williams meet your next favorite book.
Kit williams is the beesknees in puzzles and masquerades. See more ideas about art, painting and illustration. But the public response was so overwhelming williams received more. Masquerade by kit williams is an illustrated children. Kit williams book masquerade became an unlikely publishing. See more ideas about masquerade, illustration and art. An eccentric artist named kit williams created a fabulous book that. Jun 07, 2017 in 1979, british artist kit williams published masquerade, a picture book telling the whimsical story of a hare who loses the precious jewel entrusted to him by the sun.
Author kit williams reunited with 18carat gold hare which his book masquerade sparked the nations biggest treasure hunt for 30 years ago. How the clues within the picture book masquerade turned the uk into a. The epic new childrens book from multimillion bestselling author david walliams. Okay, before we get into the nittygritty of masquerade, know the following. Masquerade by kit williams 1979 treasurehunting puzzle book. Masquerade is a picture book, written and illustrated by kit williams, published in august 1979, that sparked a treasure hunt by concealing clues to the location of a jewelled golden hare, created and hidden somewhere in britain by williams. In december of 1988, a month of bombshell revelations about masquerade, the golden hare, and ken thomas, kit williamss treasure resurfaced for auction at sothebys. It also gradually reveals hints to how the main puzzle works, before giving away the full solution. Jul 06, 2019 artist kit williams book masquerade contained clues in paintings pointing the way to a buried golden hare. Ive written about masquerade for both the idler and bbc radio 4, and now ive posted an epic. Representational and literal when the abstract and the conceptual were all the rage, they seemed blissfully if not defiantly ignorant of every contemporary trend. Amazingly detailed paintings by kit williams, who worked on this book for three years, but i didnt have the energy to try to solve it. Masquerade, bee on the comb, and out of one eye are all long out of print, but should be fairly easy to find cheaply, especially masquerade. Oct 05, 2016 i have puzzled over masquerade for most of my adult life i am 61 the book is beautiful and although i am aware of the story behind what happened to the treasure, i am still delighted to read this solution.
Shop for kit williams art from the worlds greatest living artists. Masquerade is an illustrated story book written by kit williams and. In 1979, artist kit williams published masquerade a storybook. The complete book with the answer explained kit williams. The book, written and illustrated by kit williams, could be read as a standard childs fable about the moon falling in love with the sun, but it was designed as a realworld treasure hunt. Originally published in august 1979, the book contains clues within its illustrations as to the whereabouts of a small gold and jewelled amulet hare worth.
Clues in each painting led to the whereabouts of a golden hare jewel buried somewhere in the uk, the book was an overnight sensation, inspiring treasure hunters from all over the world to come to the uk to. Masquerade sold over a million copies worldwide, sparked a global craze and brought williams a quite unwelcome degree of fame. He uses traditional oilpainting techniques, fashioning first a wooden panel covered in linen and oil jesso. The artist achieved unwanted fame when the search for the hare became an. I came across him a few years ago when i first read about his book masquerade, but it was only recently that i delved a little deeper into his work, bought his other book the bee on the comb also known as the book without a name or the bee book and his book out of one eye which is full of his paintings. As a kid i was entranced by williams paintings in his book masquerade, so i was glad to get my hands on this sampling of his nonmasquerade work. In paperback, the book that touched off the treasure hunt of the centurywith a full explanation of the masquerade riddle. Christopher kit williams born 28 april 1946 is an english artist, illustrator and author best known for his 1979 book masquerade, a pictorial storybook which. World of spectrum, pictures from an old book description. The book became the inspiration for a genre of books known today as armchair treasure hunts.
Dec 21, 2009 a 1982 omnibus bbc tv programme on the buried golden jewel adorned hare and the treasure hunt for it throughout england that ended at ampthilli am one of. Its publication in 1979 sparked an international search for the treasure. The courtappointed liquidator of haresoft, charged with recovering as much money as possible to pay off the bank that had been unwise enough to supply the. Like a lot of kids who grew up in the late 70searly 80s, i was absolutely enthralled with a picture book called masquerade. Kit williams okay, before we get into the nittygritty of masquerade, know the following.
The followup to williams 1979 artcumtreasure hunt book, masquerade, which gave clues to the location of a golden hare buried somewhere in england. Kit williams sparked the nations biggest treasure hunt 30 years ago with his book masquerade, which sold 2m copies worldwide. The epic new childrens book from multimillion bestselling author. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search.
In 1979 the british artist kit williams buried a golden hare somewhere in the uk countryside and published a book full of painted clues to its whereabouts. In 1979, british artist kit williams published masquerade, a picture book telling the whimsical story of a hare who loses the precious jewel entrusted to him by the sun the book contained clues to. While not used for the first edition, it was later used as the decorative title page to the 1982. Masquerade is the quintessential armchair treasure hunt book. Originally aimed at children, it contained clues in paintings and verse that led ultimately to the physical. Signed lower center this painting was kit williams original conception for the cover of his puzzle novel, masquerade. All content on this website is the of kit and eleyne williams. Christopher kit williams was born on 28th april 1946, in the english county of kent. This one arrived on time and hardly worn despite being 39 years old.
While not used for the first edition, it was later used as the decorative title page to the 1982 edition which printed. This paperback edition with a special introduction by williams. I looked it up online today and coincidentally, the buried treasure could only be found by digging near the crossshaped monument to catherine of aragon in a small english town, at the precise spot touched by the tip of the monuments shadow at the stroke of noon on either the vernal or. He is an artist, illustrator and author and best known for his book masquerade 1979. How a reallife treasure hunt obsessed a nation bbc. Kit williams paintings for sale kit williams art value. Masquerade illustrated picture book toddler gift elevatedweirdo 5 out. Over the following three years, the jewelled pendant became the focus of an international craze, as. This is an original painting from the 16 paintings by kit williams from his best selling book masquerade published in 1979. In 1979, artist kit williams published masquerade a storybook decorated with paintings whose intricacies held clues that would lead the successful sleuth to an 18carat golden hare. Aug 20, 2009 author kit williams reunited with 18carat gold hare which his book masquerade sparked the nations biggest treasure hunt for 30 years ago.
Masquerade is a picture book, written and illustrated by kit williams, published in august 1979. A near fine copy, gift inscription to the front free endpaper verso. Masquerade by kit williams, first edition abebooks. Discovering kit williams came just at the right time. Kit williams book masquerade became an unlikely publishing phenomenon in 1979. I was obsessed with this book as a kid, a gift from my grandmother years ago. Kit williams the man behind the masquerade kit was reunited with the famous golden hare during filming for the programme in 1979, gloucestershire artist kit williams turned britain into a giant treasure map, promising a golden hare, buried in the earth, to the first person who solved the riddle of his book masquerade. Kit williamss paintings werent and arent the sort to win much traction with the scholars, critics, and tastemakers of contemporary fine art.
Apr, 2011 kit williams book masquerade became an unlikely publishing phenomenon in 1979. Masquerade by kit williams, a pioneering picture book puzzle book. My friend, artist kit williams, that takes inspiration from natures riddles, says ellie harrison in celebration of 40 years since his masterpiece masquerade picture book turned britain briefly into a. Prices and estimates of works kit williams arcadja. Artist kit williams book masquerade contained clues in paintings pointing the way to a buried golden hare. The riddles in picture and word will keep you guessing and searching, the tale told is timeless, the art. Dec 01, 2009 kit williams the man behind the masquerade kit was reunited with the famous golden hare during filming for the programme in 1979, gloucestershire artist kit williams turned britain into a giant treasure map, promising a golden hare, buried in the earth, to the first person who solved the riddle of his book masquerade. His book explained, with riddles and images, how to retrieve the fabulous golden hare. Unearthed again golden hare that obsessed a nation. Artists book the book without a name kit williams the bee book altered book embellished with postage stamps original creation.
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