'Moby Dick' novel signed by film cast donated to museum in Youghal

Youghal Film and Photography curator Ed Guirey (left) accepting the autographed copy of Moby Dick from David 'Skully' Sullivan. Picture: Christy Parker

A Moby Dick novel, autographed by members of the cast from the 1954 film shoot in Youghal, has been donated to the town’s Film and Photograph Museum, after being discovered amongst the belongings of a late distinguished Cork photojournalist.

The dozen or so signatures include those of director John Huston and of stars Leo Genn, Royal Dano, Friedrich von Ledebur, and Noel Purcell — and possibly the legendary Gregory Peck, albeit an undecipherable scrawl renders it difficult to tell.

The book belonged to award-winning photographer Roy Hammond, who worked for the Cork Examiner for about 20 years in the middle of the 20th century.

The London-born photographer also worked for The Irish Press and as a cameraman for RTÉ.

He died aged 70 in 1996, having retired four years earlier and was survived by his wife Rose and their four children.

After Rose passed away in 2008, much of the Roy’s vast trove of material was donated to London’s Imperial War Museum and to the Cork Folklore Project.

The remnants, including the novel, were mostly stored at his son William's home in Cork.

When William and his wife Carol decided recently to emigrate to Spain, they rediscovered the book while clearing their attic.

Roy had visited Youghal in the summer of 1954, during which the town’s harbour was transformed into 19th century New Bedford.

“He struck up a friendship with Friedrich von Ledebur (cast as the cannibal, Queequeg), who helped him acquire the signatures," William said.

“We didn’t want the book to end up forgotten in another attic.

“We wanted it to be seen and appreciated. Youghal seemed an appropriate alternative”.

Friedrich von Ledebur who played Queequeg in 'Moby Dick' greeting award-winning photographer Roy Hammond who worked for the 'Cork Examiner' in the last century.

William’s brother-in-law, David Sullivan — widely known as ‘Skully’ — contacted local photojournalist Michael Hussey, who recommended the museum as the ideal recipient, given it already has a display section for the film.

The book itself, printed by Collins, is from the company’s Silver Seagull series, whose target audience was a young, less affluent readership.

The autographs, spanning three partly stained pages, largely reflect flamboyant, expansive personalities, with the sentiments “Bless You” and “Good Luck” carried from actors Edric Connor and Richard Basehart respectively.

One name is indecipherable amidst speculation it may be that of Gregory Peck.

Presenting the book to museum curator, Ed Guiry, Skully said he was “delighted to donate this rare item to such a worthy and beautiful facility”.

Mr Guiry described the signed copy as “unique both in its own right and as part of local history” and said it would be “exhibited in a place of prominence”.