Stone de Croze Cartoon Art on Display at Priaulx Library

The Priaulx Library is now home to an impressive collection of Stone de Croze comic strips and satirical cartoons created by the late Alan Guppy in the 1970s, a popular feature on the Guernsey Press Children’s Page.

Alan Guppy’s son, Mark Guppy, decided to donate the archive after years of contemplating what to do with the illustrations. “They were just sitting in a cupboard, and I thought it was sad that no one could see them,” he said. He shared this idea with Priaulx Library’s CEO, Steve Foote, who suggested donating them to the library. After consulting with his family, Mark agreed, and the cartoons found a new home.

A small exhibit has been set up on the first floor, featuring a selection of Stone de Croze strips alongside satirical cartoons addressing local issues of the time, such as the ban on Crown & Anchor at the West Show, roadwork disruptions, and bonfire restrictions on States-owned land. Some of these cartoons remain strikingly relevant with only minor adjustments.

Assistant Librarian Sarah Ferbrache curated the display, selecting a representative sample from hundreds of cartoons. While general strips are exhibited on the first-floor landing, more can be found in the newspaper room, where the focus is on cartoons featuring Guernsey vocabulary and the humorous tension between Guernsey and Jersey.

The collection is now preserved in special archival boxes designed to minimize environmental damage and dust. In addition to the cartoons, the exhibition features items loaned by Guernsey Museums and Galleries, including Guppy’s soft drink bottles and colorful label collections.

Steve Foote announced plans for a larger exhibition next summer, which will include outdoor display boards and expanded indoor space on the ground floor. Visitors can also purchase souvenirs like dolls, books, and drinks coasters alongside the exhibition, which is free to visit during the library’s regular hours.

The Stone de Croze exhibition runs until late March, offering visitors a chance to browse historical copies of the Guernsey Evening Press and Star, where many of the cartoons were originally published.

This exhibition is a celebration of Guernsey’s cultural heritage, bringing the humor and nostalgia of Stone de Croze to a new audience and preserving the legacy of Alan Guppy’s timeless art.