The Edward Thomas Study Centre at Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery is now the only place where you can buy copies of writer and artist Mal Earl’s selection book, Dark Pastoral – but limited edition prints of its striking cover, “Up in the Wind”, are now available from the artist.

The beautiful A3 print, a signed and numbered limited edition release of just 75 copies, is available here.
Edward Thomas is widely regarded as a major poet and his posthumous influence on English poetry has been considerable. He took much inspiration from the natural beauty of the South Downs countryside, especially around his home near Steep, Petersfield.
His poetry was all written during the last few years of his life and his later pieces relate to his experiences after enlisting. This remarkable flowering of genius was cut short by his death in action during the First World War on 9th April 1917 at the Battle of Arras.
Copies of Mal Earl’s Dark Pastoral Chap book are only available from the Edward Thomas Study Centre, a limited edition release offering a selection of Edward’s poetry, with illustrations inspired by their gentleness, the resolution of a long held wish by this unique artist to produce something through which to broaden appreciation of his works.
Copies are available whilst stocks last, at £5 per copy. Mail order is available at £7.50 per copy to include p&p from etsc.petersfield@outlook.com.




The Centre offers a wide selection of new, second-hand and vintage books for sale. All net proceeds will go towards the upkeep of, and addition to, the wonderful collection of books by and about, or linked to, the poet and writer Edward Thomas.
In addition to his other projects, including “Radclyffe”, for Aces Weekly and the upcoming 1900 anthology edited by Peter Duncan, Mal Earl is currently working on a much larger project inspired by Edward Thomas’ poetry.

“It is an honour that the Edward Thomas Study Centre picked up all remaining copies of the selection book,” says Mal.
“I have begun work on Dark Pastoral: The Complete Illustrated Poems of Edward Thomas, and the first volume, ‘Up in the Wind’ will be available soon.”
• Buy the “Up in the Wind” A3 print here
• Mal Earl is online at malearl.com
• The Edward Thomas Study Centre, Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, St Peter’s Road, Petersfield GU32 3HX | Web: edward-thomas-fellowship.org.uk/the-edward-thomas-study-centre | Museum website: petersfieldmuseum.co.uk/collection/edward-thomas
Open on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 10 am and 3.30 pm, as well as some Saturdays until the end of July thanks to the Museum and Gallery’s young volunteers
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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