The Adventures of Phunsi
In 1946, Alison Mason Kingsbury published her own book, The Adventures of Phunsi, for her only daughter Alison, who was born nine years earlier. Written and illustrated by the artist, The Adventures of Phunsi traces the exploits of a curious and incredibly fast zebra, who is poached from his home in Africa and sent to a zoo in New York City, where he does not stay long before embarking on a journey of his own direction. Charmingly illustrated with fine pen work, the artist effectively harnesses her line to tell a story chock-full of action.
Published just after the Second World War, the book is actually the product of a rather unhappy time in the artist's life after the small family relocated to New York City. Bishop had volunteered for the Office of War Information, and was soon sent overseas to Europe. To support herself and her daughter in her husband's absence, A. M. K. did graphic work for publishers, ranging from lettering to book covers to illustration. However, she despised most of the work, particularly the lettering. A lover of logic and perspective systems, lettering spelled mindless torment for the artist.
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Alison Mason Kingsbury. The Adventures of Phunsi. [1946] [zoom] Cover design proof. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections |
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Alison Mason Kingsbury. The Adventures of Phunsi. [1946] [zoom] Title page proof. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections |
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Alison Mason Kingsbury. The Adventures of Phunsi. [1946] [zoom] Portrait proof of Phunsi, the young adventurous zebra, who is the main character of A. M. K.'s children's book. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections |
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Alison Mason Kingsbury. The Adventures of Phunsi. [1946] [zoom] One of Phunsi's defining characteristics is his incredible speed. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections |
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Alison Mason Kingsbury. The Adventures of Phunsi. [1946] [zoom] Phunsi lives a happy life with his mother on the African plains, until he finds himself captured by a hunter and taken away from his herd. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections |
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Alison Mason Kingsbury. The Adventures of Phunsi. [1946] [zoom] Phunsi is shipped to New York City, where he first finds himself holed up in the zoo. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections |
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Alison Mason Kingsbury. The Adventures of Phunsi. [1946] [zoom] After breaking free from the zoo, Phunsi takes off on a wild adventure around New York. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections |
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Alison Mason Kingsbury. The Adventures of Phunsi. [1946] [zoom] Trouble seems to find Phunsi at every turn. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections |
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Alison Mason Kingsbury. The Adventures of Phunsi. [1946] [zoom] Phunsi was a labor of love from A. M. K. to her daughter Alison Jr. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections |