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My late father wrote two books, one detailing his unique life as a radio presenter and the other telling the story of the shark’s creation and the fight to keep it, and I’m honoured to offer them both here. The books offered here are some of the last copies of the limited original print run that my father published during his life, and I will happily sign them myself on request.
The Hunting of the Shark: The Story Behind the Tale That Crash Landed on an Unsuspecting Oxford Suburban Street
"It's 1986 and American jets take off near Oxford to bomb Tripoli and take out Gaddafi.... meanwhile another missile has crashed through the shattered tiles of a quiet Oxford suburban home. This is a true story. Dive into this book which celebrates the 25th anniversary of one of England’s quirkiest icons. The Hunting of the Shark spills the guts for the very first time on how this bizarre 25-foot fibreglass sculpture was conceived, constructed, erected and kept up on the roof against the full blast of Oxford City bureaucracy. Told by Bill Heine who commissioned its birth, plus exclusive sketches and artwork from the sculptor's own notebook and never-before-seen photographs of the erection in flagrante, The Hunting of the Shark reveals and re-lives a fascinating slice of English eccentricity. Part-Picaresque, part-Pythonesque, this tale of art, anarchy, and architecture reveals how a 7-day wonder became one of the country's most controversial landmarks with a 6-year planning battle, courtroom drama, arrests, a Public Inquiry, and the intervention by the Secretary of State for the Environment. With cameo appearances from Michael Heseltine, Lynda Lee-Potter, Lord Palumbo, Philip Pullman, Mohamed Al Fayed, Bernard Levin, Sir Hugh Casson and others, this is a must read for those who enjoy a jaw-dropping tale in which truth is stranger than fiction."
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Heinstein of the Airwaves: Discovering a Parallel World within Oxford
"Heinstein of the Airwaves' is a late-in-life coming of age story about pushing the boundaries when that's no longer innocent. It's a portrait of a place - Oxford - and the nightmares that lurk among the dreaming spires. It's a picture of a very private person who has a very public shark sticking out of his roof. If you like contradictions, read it. 'Heinstein' is an area where the main character has to dodge virtual bullets from both sides. In twenty years on BBC Radio Oxford Bill has met a fascinating mix of people from world-famous celebrities to passionate local campaigners. Here he brings us the highlights of these meetings. The book is an insight into how a good broadcaster treads the line between challenging his listeners and interviewees and keeping their trust - and that of his employer. It's also an up-close look at the underside of a city more often eulogised than criticised. Bill's view: 'Phillip Pullman created a parallel universe outside of Oxford, I've looked at what we have right here inside Oxford and found it."
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"Boys and Girls!" (1964) by R.B. Kitaj
I'm also selling an Artist's Proof print from the limited edition print run "Boys and Girls!" by the internationally renowned artist R.B. Kitaj. This captivating piece comes directly from my late father's estate. My father knew Kitaj personally, and was the inspiration for Kitaj's "Bill at Sunset (1973)". This piece, unlike the others I've seen in the collection, is signed as an Artist's "Proof" print, although the signature isn't in pencil and I'm not able to tell if this is in plate. The number "2" is also written in pencil and circled on the back, which may indicate the number in the edition, limited to 40 pieces. "Boys and Girls!" is a striking example of R.B. Kitaj's distinctive style, featuring his signature blend of abstraction and figuration. The rich colors and bold, dynamic composition evoke a sense of both whimsy and nostalgia, making it a timeless addition to any art collection. The piece is a colour photo-screenprint on wove paper, measuring ca. 24 x 17 in. "Boys and Girls!" has been held and variously displayed at galleries, including the National Gallery of Art, Museum of Modern Art, and the Tate. This Artist's Proof print is in excellent condition, although there are a few spots of light foxing visible. It has been stored in a smoke-free environment, away from direct sunlight to preserve its vibrant colors. Close up images of the back and all four individual quadrants have been provided above. If this is of interest then feel free to reach out.
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