Ted at the World Championships in South Africa, 1978 (Photo: Steve Daniel)
We've worked closely with the crew up at MoBS before, and we're always keen to work on projects relating to the history of surfing in the UK. As soon as they mentioned Andy and Duncan were involved, we were on board.
Andy is the author of a number of books centred around surfing, with one of his earlier books, Walking on Water, being top of SFC Sam's favourite reads of all time. His latest book, 'Surf, Sweat and Tears', which has recently been longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year prize, chronicles the life and untimely death of Viscount Ted Deerhurst, a much celebrated and loved icon in UK surf history. Ted's memory and legacy is being preserved and promoted by his cousin, our fourth collaborator, Duncan Coventry.
Surf, Sweat and Tears Book Image (www.orbooks.com)
The initial scope of the collaboration was to design a limited-edition bookplate, capturing the spirit of the book and Ted's surfing life, to be signed by Andy in lieu of a traditional book signing event (sadly made impossible by the current Covid situation). This limited run of bookplates would be sold as part of a collector's edition of the book.
We brainstormed a handful of ideas, very quickly settling on a simple but striking design combining the title of the book with a quiver of surfboards, each displaying an important logo from Ted's career. What better way to pay homage to Ted than to proudly display the logos which meant so much to him through his life and career?
Ted's famous Excalibur Sword Logo
After one or two tweaks and revisions, we had our finished bookplate, ready to be professionally printed and then signed by Andy.
The finished bookplate design, to be signed by Andy Martin
One of the finished bookplates, signed by Andy Martin.
Having completed the bookplate design work, we collectively came up with the idea of an even more impressive 'collector's pack', comprising the book with signed bookplate, 2 x A5 signed giclée art prints, a greetings card and a 6-pack of stickers depicting Ted's logos, available exclusively from the Museum.
We designed the first art print to show Ted standing on the beach at the world famous Pipeline, Hawaii, ready to paddle out at the infamous spot.
Our 'Ted at Pipeline' Giclée art print
We designed the second art print to mirror the signed bookplate, but this time capturing an image of Ted from one of the surviving photos taken of him before his death, whilst also incorporating the Museum of British Surfing Union Jack logo.
Our 'Ted Deerhurst Quiver' Giclée art print
As well as the collector's pack, the book, prints, greetings card and stickers will all be available to buy individually from both the Museum of British Surfing Website as well as the museum gift shop in Braunton, North Devon.
It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Andy, Duncan and Charlie at the Museum of British Surfing, and we're proud to have played a tiny part in the continuing story of 'Lord Ted'.
The National Trust will be running an exhibition in 2021 charting Ted's life and displaying some of his surviving surfboards. You can find out more about the exhibition by visiting the National Trust exhibition webpage.