As a store owner and buyer for over twenty years, I see a lot of stuff . Some of it’s breathtakingly great, some is not so great, some is downright awful. The challenge, as a store owner, is to see through the barrage of merchandise…to find what’s new, unique, beautiful, and totally special.

During the last weeks of my vacation at my farm on Prince Edward Island, Canada, I made such a find. I discovered the artwork and exquisite hand-bound books of Charles van Sandwyk.

It turns out that van Sandwyk is quite a character. Among those who know him, he’s very well known. But it seems he prefers to keep that circle small.

His biography will tell you that he grew up in South Africa, emigrated with his parents to Canada and ultimately found his soul in Fiji.

A number of van Sandwyk’s paintings hang in the National Library of Canada, as well as in several important private collections. His books are illustrated by hand and self-published in small, numbered quantities.

Each book is paper bound, beautifully illustrated and embellished, reflecting van Sandwyk’s own motto that:

“Art, indeed life, should be a rich visual feast, restrained only by good taste.”

I am so excited to bring these books to Merrick’s. They are not just childrens’ books (although I have already begun reading them to my own grandchildren). They are books for friends, lovers, family – anyone who has a place in their heart for a fanciful, innocent, wise and more gentle world.

Stop in to Merrick’s to take a look or call us at 609-921-0338 to order by telephone. Prices begin at $40.00 U.S.

Tags: Charles van Sandwyk, Children's Books, Gift Ideas, Gifts, Illustrated books