N320AW
(.224 member)
02/07/06 04:33 AM
Re: JOHN "PONDORO"TAYLOR

I've been a Taylor fan for years and have all his books. I also have " A Man Called Lion " by Capstick as well as some correspondence with A. Maitland. Here's what I can gather about Taylor although there may be inaccuracies:

Taylor's Wilkes .450#2 was seized by local police and not returned to him. It later ended up with an American.

Taylor arrived in London (1957) almost broke. Someone said that he had the Wilkes on arrival and sold it. However, Taylor, until he died, had to make do with menial jobs in London. Park-Keeper, and a dog kennel position.

Brian Marsh of South Africa did most of the research for Capstick's book. He also knew Taylor well. He is or was a contributing editor to Magnum magazine in S.A.

It's been rumored that Taylor approached Holland & Holland looking for some type of employment, however, Holland has seached their records and cannot authenticate this.

Taylor was in Austrailia for about 3 years at the invitation of John Dawkins. There he wrote " Maneaters and Marauders " and " Shadows of Shame. " Dawkins, on his first trip to Africa, had written to Taylor in Africa, and got together with [him] when he arrived. They hunted together and then left for Oz.

I know nothing about Taylor going back to Africa at all. Maitland should know as they corresponded and met often. Maitland was also the executor of Taylor's estate after his death.

I agree with some that Capstick's information could be tainted a bit. I've read the book about 30 times and have enjoyed it, however, Capstick makes many assertions about Taylor that no one could possibly know . . . not having actually been there. I suppose he did this to make the tale flow more smoothly.

Hope this will be of some help to you.



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