6 November 2005
Added 18 March 2006

An incomplete list of thanks:

I cannot speak for the other contributors, but I would like to give some thanks to people and (tikis) who have helped explore Spontoon Island.

This list is not complete (there are are errors in memory and information lost since 1997). This list will be updated and corrected, with your help. So this is for you, the Unknown Contributor: Thank you! Don't be shy -- if you have contributed information for use in the backstory of Spontoon Island, remind me!

Ken Fletcher (editing the zines and website)  
email:  kenfletch'a)comcast.net   (new email address December 2006) (Replace 'a) with @)

Inspirations: 

Carl Barks, Harvey Kurtzman & Bill Elder, Wally Wood, Leetig of Tahiti, Mr. Miyazaki, Larry Todd, Vaughn Bode, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Russ Manning

Some more abstract influences:
The Dreamtime. Tiki.  Riki-tiki-tavi. The Skunks in the Forest. You Know Who You Are And You Know What You Did.

Thanks for reference materials:
David L. Arneson, M.A.R. Barker,  Michael Bakula, Simon Leo Barber, Reese Dorrycott, Norman Byng, John Byng, Auntie El, Janet Moe, Jeff Berry, Clarke Stone, David Schmoker, Tom Foster, David Ackermann, the Library of Paul Duquette, Deb Naffziger, the estate of Louise Lounsbury, Linda Lounsbury, Henry Huelsdonk, Fred Allen Fletcher, John A. Fletcher

Thank you for other spiritual, virtual, and material contributions:
Jeff Wood,  Simon Leo Barber, Margaret Howes, Michael Huyck, Jeanette Mayo, Giovanna Fregni, Steve Gallacci, Marc Schirmeister, Dan Kanemitsu, Walter E. Traprock, J.P. Morgan.

References and Bibliography:

Island Cultures (Fictional & True):

Geographical Handbook Series -- Naval Intelligence Division (Royal Navy, United Kingdom):
PACIFIC ISLANDS
Volume 1: GENERAL SURVEY [B.R. 519] (August 1945)
Volume 2: EASTERN PACIFIC [B.R. 519A] (November 1943)
Volume 3: WESTERN PACIFIC (Tonga to Solomon Is:) [B.R. 519B] (December 1944)
Volume 4: WESTERN PACIFIC (New Guinea and Islands Northward) [B.R. 519C] (Aug 45)

To credit these Naval Intelligence Division publications, this website will refer to:
"Pacific Islands Geographical Handbooks"

   
Acknowledgements compiled from the Prefaces by E.G.N. Rushbrooke, Director of Naval Intelligence:

(To paraphrase:) "These volumes were prepared for the Naval Intelligence Division at the Cambridge sub-centre (Director: Mr J.M. Wordie, General Editor, Dr. H.C. Darby). They were mainly written by:  Mr. A.E.P. Collins,  Dr J.W.Davidson, Dr Margaret Davies, Mr Adrian Digby,  Dr Raymond Firth, Dr L. Hawkes, Dr P.W. Richards & Mr T.G. Tutin, with contributions from Mr A.E.P. Collins, Mr Adrian Digby, Dr J.P. Harding, Dr Phyllis Kaberry, Prof A.A. Miller, Dr P.W. Richards and Dr Charles Wilcocks. The maps and diagrams were drawn mainly by Mr A.O. Cole, Miss S.H. Collins, Miss K.S.A. Froggatt, Miss M. Garside, Miss F. Hands, Miss M. Hart, Miss Aletta Lewis, Mrs. Marion Plant, Mrs. Gwen Raverat, & Miss J.D.I. Tyson. Volumes edited by Dr. Raymond Firth, Dr. J.W. Davidson and Dr Margaret Davies."

White Shadows in the South Seas by Frederick O'Brien, published in 1919. A popular & influencial introduction to the impact of traders, colonialists & missionaries on South Pacific Cultures. Focused on the French-occupied Marquesian Islands near Tahiti. Anecdotes from a travel writer -- romanticized native cultures on the surface, but the narrator is willing to show the subtle ambiguity underneath.

The Cruise of the KAWA by George S. Chappell, published in 1922. A cruise of exploration in a burlesque South Pacific. A parody of the popular interest in White Shadows in the South Seas and similar South Pacific Paradise books, and the other early 20s manifestations of an interest in hula-ukelele-lei pop culture.

East Is a Big Bird (Navigation & Logic on Puluwat Atoll) by Thomas Gladwin. A Harvard University Press trade paperback, 1970. A classic anthropological study that may still be in print. The this is a basic introduction to the techniques and culture of long-distance outrigger canoe sailing (and navigation) on one of the Caroline Islands. The writer is also a wind sailor.  Many photos of  the canoes and action photos of how the canoes are sailed.  The sailing-scholar's visits were in the 1960s, and the reportage has added thesis findings that are presented as ideas that would surprise the reader of the time:  The exploration of the versatility of the navigator's own culture in solving complex problems of navigation, and the finding that outstanding abilities do not necessarily correlate with Euro-American culture's standardized IQ tests. What hath Tiki wrought?

Seaplanes:

Flying Boats & Seaplanes by Stephane Nicolaou, France, 1996 (English translation 1998).  A basic history from 1905 (including coverage of the early Schneider Trophy races) and extensively illustrated with black & white photos. Very valuable for the artist because the author used French and European sources for photos-- one doesn't see the same usual photos and gets to see images of seaplanes that are never shown in American & British reference books. May still be in print.

The American Flying Boat, An Illustrated History by Richard C. Knott, Naval Institute Press, 1979. A text & illustration combination, in a large format. Includes both military & civilian American flying boats that were in commercial production, and 'amphibian' (folding landing wheels) models. This book is informative, but not dry in style.  It is not intended to be exhaustive: few experimental or non-production seaplanes are shown. Does not include seaplanes on floats. May still be in print.

An Illustrated History of Seaplanes and Flying Boats by Maurice Allward, 1981 England (Barnes & Noble edition 1993).  A small-format book with a good general text. The choice of illos is good, but they are disconnected from the text (though they do have their own page listings). This was packaged as a low-price book for the Barnes & Noble bookstores 'remainder' tables -- it is a good bargain & portable general reference. Probably not in print, but should be reasonable as used.

Fiction Adventures:

The 'Mr. Moto' Novels of  J.P. Marquand. Circa 1935 to 1940 (and one post-war novel). What can be said more than you might find the subtexts a surprise?  Single American couples meet in the course of getting over their heads in the intrigues of the inscruitable East. Mr. Moto comes to their assistance, as he finds them innocent of malice and conveniently of use to his operations (and he likes Americans). Mr. Moto is a semi-secret agent of a branch of the Japanese government, that as often as not, is at odds with other factions in Japan. Very atmospheric settings in the Pacific and strange messages to the popular fiction reader, considering that many expected trouble with Japan by the mid-30s. The Americans in trouble find Mr. Moto's "So Sorry" surface covers a hidden Tiger -- who likes them.