Rumbelow Rarities

CERTIFICATES OF FREEDOM

• New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900) 

•  Wed 14 Dec 1836 [Issue No.253] 

Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, 12th December, 1836.

Thw undermentioned persons, have obtained Certificates of Freedom since last publication.

12 December, 1836 - Rumbelow, William (American)

The Certificate of Freedom was introduced into New South Wales because of the need for former convicts to prove that they were in fact free. Anyone could be detained on suspicion of being a runaway convict unless proof of free status could be produced. On completion of their sentences convicts would make a declaration to the local magistrate who would send to Sydney to check the indents.

THE LAND OF RUMBELOW

By Carlos Baker '32

New York: Scribners, 

1963.370 pp. $4.95.

In theme, symbolic imagination, and descriptive writing Princeton English Professor Carlos Baker's newest novel (he calls it "A Fable in the Form of a Novel"), The Landof Rumbelow, offers more than his earlier novel, A Friend in Power, but in the three basics (at least E. M. Forster's basics) story, plot, and characterization, Baker's latest fiction is less convincing. 

Hero Dan Sherwood, fleeing in shame from a much-enjoyed moment of adultery, picks up Satan (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) in the sun-baked Southwest and gets himself crowned in damnation for his generosity. Professor Sherwood (also a teacher of English) settles down in Tucson and begins his sentence in literary purgatory, to search out the life story and prose meaning of novelist Nicholas Kemp, billed as an American Dostoevski. 

Sherwood also gets himself involved in the lives of a dozen or so transplanted Arizonians, most of whom in one way or another happily begin or end by contributing to the puzzle that is Kemp or the unraveling of that puzzle. The best of Baker's minor characters, however, an old artist named Hart Mackenzie, has little to do with Kemp or the creation of story and plot, but he and Sherwood have some very special conversations (in both what they say and how they say it). Author Baker also does a fine job of taking to task the ghouls of the literary world, the scholar-critics who feel compelled to concentrate on a writer's life rather than his works. A quote from a Nicholas Kemp-to-Sherwood letter reads:

Don't they know, Mr. Sherwood, that they are choking the spring with their garbage? Don't they realize that, even with the best will in the world, a writer can get discouraged when another truckload of junk - and another and another - is dumped in his clean front yard?

One of the weakest areas of characterization-plot is the sentimental love story brought up near the end to provide the vehicle for Sherwood's return from "Rumhelow," an area described by the book jacket as being three miles from Hell, and an end to the literary quest of Kemp, all in one too convenient package. Although Kemp never makes a personal appearance, other than by letter, he's much more interesting than most of Sherwood's Arizona friends and associates. One suspects that novelist Baker, also official biographer for Ernest Hemingway, found Kemp more interesting too. Even with its shortcomings The Land of Rumbelow is better for occasional reading than many of the more highly-touted pieces of contemporary fiction (The Group, Salt, Inside Daisy Clover, for instance).

Sailor Rumbelow and Britannia

Reeves, James

• Published by Heinemann, 1962

• Language: English

• Title: Sailor Rumbelow and Britannia

• Publisher: Heinemann

• Publication Date: 1962

• Binding: Hardcover

• Illustrator: Ardizzone, Edward

John Morris Reeves, later known as James Reeves, was an English writer principally known for his poetry, plays and contributions to children's literature and the literature of collected traditional songs. His published books include poetry, stories and anthologies for both adults and children. He was also well known as a literary critic and broadcaster.

He was born in Harrow, and educated at Stowe School and at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he read English and co-founded with Jacob Bronowski the literary magazine Experiment. He began his writing career as a poet in 1936, and in 1945 turned his attention to writing for young readers. His first book of poems for children, The Wandering Moon, appeared in 1950, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone, with whom Reeves sustained a lifelong friendship and collaboration. Reeves worked as a teacher until 1952, when his failing eyesight forced him to retire and he became a full-time writer and editor. 

Rumbelow's Dance Book by Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake (author), First Published 1982 

Rumbelow is off to visit his grandparents. As he sets off he feels so happy he starts to dance. Along the way, he meets many different characters, who all join in with his infectious dancing! A lively and fun cumulative tale. 

Rumbelow's Dance - Review

•  Times (Victor Harbor, SA : 1987 - 1999) 

•  Wed 12 Apr 1989 

John Yeoman and Quentin Blake. Picture Puffin. $4.95. 

Yes, the name Rumbelow is a very well known one in Victor Harbor, but I don't think author John Yeoman had the noted fishing family in mind when he wrote Rumbelow's Dance. 

Rumbelow is a boy who meets many people on the way to his grandparent's place. Some were complaining of ills, some were just down and out, others were long faced. Rumbelow convinces all of them to dance on the long journey to his granny's house. Soon, a long line of rumba and waltz-filled people make their way along the countryside lanes. A lovely, harmless story for pre-schoolers as are most Picture Puffins. 

NOTICE of voluntary winding up. K.W. RUMBELOW CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LIMITED (In liquidation), A.C.N.

Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001), Friday 28 May 1993 (No.52), page 2621 

000 398 630.—Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 509 (2) of the Corporations Law, that the final meeting of the members of K. W. Rumbelow Constructions Pty Limited (In voluntary liquidation), will be held at the offices of Brooks, Deane & Powne, Accountants, Suite 1, Level 5, 189 Kent Street, Sydney, N.S.W., on 21st June, 1993, at 11.00 a.m., for the purpose of laying before the meeting the liquidator's final account and report and giving any explanation thereof. 

Dated 21st May, 1993. C. GILMORE, Liquidator, c.o. Brooks, Deane & Powne, Accountants, Sth Floor, 189 Kent Street, Sydney, N.S.W. 2000. [02230]