A bit of Loch Ness Monster history here as I reproduce a letter Tim Dinsdale wrote to Herman Cockrell dated February 1st 1961. Tim was in the late stages of completing his seminal book "Loch Ness Monster" and sought Herman's permission to reproduce his classic 1958 photograph of the creature.
Indeed, the photo had formed part of the 1959 magazine article that inspired Tim to study the phenomenon and head north to Loch Ness where he obtained his famous film footage in April 1960. Click on the images of the letter, then right click for "View Image" to read them.
I have edited out Tim's address, but looking around the web, it appears to have been sold over 20 years ago. If you want to know what Tim's house looked like, take a look below.
The author can be contacted at lochnesskelpie@gmail.com
This is fantastic. How did you acquire this -- Cockrell's son?
ReplyDeleteYes, there is still a bit of stuff to work through.
DeleteAh, typewriters. I remember using my Dad's just before PCs came out. Tippex was the equivalent of backspace.
ReplyDeleteI have to admire the things you find from the past Roland. Keep up the gr8 work that makes your blog so readable.
ReplyDeletePlenty of old stuff out there - if only people would let us at them!
DeleteWell, Dinsdale wasn't exactly a stranger to hyperbolic description...
ReplyDeleteYes it was and a mammoth was up to 11 feet at shoulder height. A bit of an understatement then.
ReplyDeleteWhy did Tim think Whyte's book was courageous? As I recall, she was a GP and her husband was a manager on the caledonian canal. Publishing a book on a "joke" subject like Nessie would not exactly be a career enhancing move for either of them.
As for money making, she wrote it having no idea whether it would make much or not.
I spent a very pleasant afternoon at Tim's home with the disabled actor Nabil Shaban and his assistant. We sat in a wooden shed around the back of the house where Tim kept some of his old Loch Ness memorabilia. We chatted about Loch Ness (of course), and I answered lots of Tim's questions on my Congo expedition (1985-6). It was a really great day that I shall always remember. He was gone too soon.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Tim's Man Cave.
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