There is much that I have been contemplating with the recent death of my father. Both my parents have died within the past year and a half. My mind goes to my childhood. Then it goes to a mystery that has vexed me since that time. I suspect I already know the answer, and it is not one that pleases me.
I have fond memories of my mother reading to me Lamont, The Lonely Monster. It was published by the Hallmark Company in the 1970s, now most well-known for its greeting cards. This pop-up book was originally my older sister's, and it was handed down to me. It's the story of a monster who has no friends and ventures to an old haunted mansion hoping to meet at least one monster there who will be his friend. There is a danger, however, as he has heard that in this mansion lurks a creature called Uriah the Heap, whom even other monsters fear as violent. Can Lamont avoid this Uriah and also find another monster to be his companion?
This book had a profound effect on me. You have noticed my interest in monsters, especially ones like Lamont who have a dinosaur-like appearance. And my stories often have a theme of what it is like not to be considered a proper member of society. Monsters such as Lamont are a perfect symbol of that separateness.
It is of a giant monster who has swallowed the globe, which is apparently visible through his stomach. He says worriedly, "I can't believe I ate the whole thing." As you can see, this creature bears more than a slight resemblance to Lamont from our book. Not just the ears, snout, and dorsal spikes are the same -- even the two fangs jutting from the lower jaw are. Very oddly, my mother didn't notice the resemblance until I pointed it out to her. Even then, she didn't give it much thought; she was occupied with other life matters.
The image on the towel is likely modeled after this illustration from the book's cover pages.
Upon running a Google search for this company, I was surprised to find that there is a small online community of people who collect vintage towels this company has produced.
On the lower left hand corner of the "globe" on the towel, there is some writing. But it is too faded for me to read. The best I can make it, it seems to say, “Lon Draville © B + D” or “Don Draville © B + D.”
The illustrator for Lamont, The Lonely Monster is Don Page, who has apparently drawn for other children's books as well. As of this writing, I cannot find information about whether Mr. Page was paid for designs on beach towels. I love this beach towel dearly. It has great sentimental value. Sadly, my worry is that the design was copied from Don Page's work without his permission.
