A Gryphon Comes Through the Door
I LOVE whimsical creatures and weird items, and every now and then, something comes through the shop that feels less like inventory and more like a small doorway to another world.
This vintage poster for The Book of Gryphons is one of those pieces.
At first glance, it looks like something pulled from an old storybook, a medieval bestiary, or the wall of a very interesting library. The creature itself is a gryphon, also commonly spelled griffin, that ancient and noble beast with the body of a lion and the head, wings, and talons of an eagle.
It is one of the great creatures of myth.
The poster appears to be connected to the 1982 book The Book of Gryphons: A History of the Most Majestic of All Mythical Creatures by Joseph Nigg, with artwork by David Frampton. Nigg is known for his work on mythical creatures, and this book explored the long cultural life of the gryphon, a creature that has appeared in art, story, symbolism, heraldry, and imagination for thousands of years.
It looks like something that belongs beside a shelf of folklore, fairy tales, medieval history, fantasy novels, old maps, and illustrated natural histories of creatures that may or may not have ever walked the earth.
That is part of its charm. And when these things come into my shop, I wish I could keep them all!
A gryphon is not merely a fantasy animal. In old traditions, it was often seen as a guardian creature. The lion suggested strength and earthly power. The eagle suggested vision, sky, and majesty. Put together, the gryphon became a creature of watchfulness, courage, and mystery.
This poster would be a wonderful piece for someone who loves mythology, fantasy art, old children’s books, medieval-inspired illustration, or unusual literary wall art. It has the feel of a bookshop, a study, a reading nook, a classroom, or a collector’s room.
I like items like this because they do what the best old paper pieces do. They make you stop and imagine.
Who bought the book in 1982? Was this poster displayed in a bookstore window? Was it tucked away after a book promotion? Did it hang in a child’s room, a library, a classroom, or an artist’s studio?
That is the pleasure of old books and paper. They carry more than printed ink. They carry atmosphere and a story.
This one carries a mythical creature, a forgotten book promotion, an illustrator’s hand, and a little bit of old-world wonder.
This item is currently available through Uncommon Bookshop’s eBay shop.