Post #288179 by shakatiki on Sun, Feb 25, 2007 10:50 PM

Aloha Auntie Bungy!
I am a friend of Bens and also have a little shop (only it's over in Costa Mesa) called house of tiki. I really enjoyed reading your posts and look forward to the book. I am trying to dig up more info on my Grandfather who was also in Tahiti and throughout the south pacific around the time you were there. His name is Truman Bailey and he was down there on commission by Life Mag. and National Geo. in the late 30's and early 40's. He was also commissioned by "Gumps" in search of trinkets, arts and crafts and exotic fabrics. His life was a bit of a mystery because he disappeared from his family for quite some time. He went on to start up the institute of Manual Arts in Lima Peru, and that's where he finished out his (rather short) life. I have the magazine articles and his book "Polynesian Venture". Just wondering if maybe you crossed paths at any time in your travels? It's such "a small world after all" and it sounds as though you've seen much of it. I head to Samoa in 2 days to deliver some of his tapas to the museum in Apia, (actually there is a post close by with more info). I would love to meet you when I get back. Ben has said many wonderful things about you.
Sincerely, Wes Johnson