6 NOVEMBER 1964, Page 10

Timothy

Timothy Birdsall died, aged twenty-seven, in the summer of 1963. I never knew him. But I do know with what affection he is remembered bY the Spectator. And I admired very much both his political cartoons and the riot of fantasy with which he enriched TW3. Michael Frayn and Bamber Gascoigne have edited a splendid col- lection of his drawings and cartoons, which is published at 30s. by Michael Josefth Ltd. The book is beautifully produced and here those who remember him will be able to savour again his finest work. Wit without malice, compassion without weakness, scorn without rage—all these you will find in Timothy Birdsall's work. He was a fine cartoonist. I wish I had known him.