Time to review the sesquicentennial* edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine.  This is a special 150th issue of the quarterly magazine for prehistoric animal enthusiasts and palaeoartists. Sesquicentennial* is the term used to describe a 150th anniversary or its celebration, and there is plenty to celebrate about this latest edition.  For example, readers can marvel at the stunning artwork created by the eminent Norwegian wildlife artist Esther Van Hulsen.  The artwork was commissioned by the Nevada State Park.  A series of information boards were being constructed and the artist was selected to provide illustrations of some of the amazing creatures that roamed this region during the last Ice Age.  Dire wolves, Columbian mammoths, prehistoric horses, cave lions and the American camel are featured.

The front cover artwork was provided by renowned science fiction artist Bob Eggleton.  T. rex features prominently in this issue, and Bob’s composition depicts a battle-hardened predator.

The front cover of issue 150 (summer 2024) of “Prehistoric Times” magazine. The Tyrannosaurus rex artwork was created by Bob Eggleton.  Inside the magazine, there is a special feature on this iconic dinosaur.  An Everything Dinosaur team member gets a mention too.  Picture credit: Mike Fredericks.

Picture credit: Mike Fredericks

“Prehistoric Times” Featuring Mosasaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex

Our thanks to Phil Hore for his excellent article on the “beast of Maastricht” – Mosasaurus.  It is extremely informative, and we congratulate the author for squeezing in references to Napoleon Bonaparte and the Rosetta stone.  There are some wonderful Mosasaurus illustrations.  Wade Cameron chose to illustrate an articulated skeleton.  In contrast, Fabio Pastori contributed a mosasaur scavenging a titanosaur scene.  Pedro Salas took a more reflective approach with a subtle illustration of a Mosasaurus just breaking the water surface.  Our congratulations to all the artists for their work.

The magazine features an in-depth interview with the famous American palaeontologist Jack Horner.  He reminisces on his life-long fascination with the Dinosauria. Furthermore, he sheds light on why he controversially argued that T. rex was a scavenger.  In his long and distinguished career, Jack Horner has made a huge contribution to vertebrate palaeontology.  The article provides an insight into his thinking when he proposed that the “King of the Tyrant Lizards” was an obligate scavenger.

Tracy Lee Ford continues the Tyrannosaurus rex theme with an excellent article that looks at the challenges of drawing tyrannosaurs when the skull morphology of T. rex is so varied.  Award-winning model maker Sean Kotz demonstrates how to create a replica of a tyrannosaur head. Furthermore, we learn about the first references of feathered dinosaurs in popular culture in an intriguing article penned by Gray Stanback.

Compiling Thoughts

Phil Hore wanted to collate thoughts and impressions about T. rex.  The article features contributions by Phil Currie, Kenneth Carpenter and Jim Kirkland.  Polymath James Gurney, perhaps, most famous for the “Dinotopia” series comments as does renowned palaeoartist Luis Rey.  Yours truly was asked to provide input as well.  We are honoured to have Everything Dinosaur featured in this special edition.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur recalling fond memories of encounters with T. rex fossils and models. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

There is some amazing T. rex artwork too. A skeletal drawing by John Sibbick is included.   Mark Hallett provided an illustration of a trio of tyrannosaurs complete with perching birds, whilst Mark Wheatley submitted illustrations of somewhat foolhardy T. rex hunting!  Our congratulations to Mark Massion, Tim Bollinger, Dale Novak and John F. Davies and also to Samuel Pickens for his illustration of a T. rex quenching its thirst.

Look out for an imaginative and topical article written by Robert Telleria.  Robert envisions a prehistoric Olympics, complete with larger-than-life competitors and intense competition.  Telleria’s talents for crafting an intriguing and compelling narrative are on full display in this piece.

Famous Apes and Famous Artists

John M. Navroth had provided a most informative piece documenting the film “The Lost World” in an earlier edition of the magazine.  He repeats the feat in this issue, this time focusing on the “King Kong” movie premiered in 1933.  He provides a fascinating insight into one of the most influential monster movies of all time.

John Lavas continues to document the contribution of the highly influential Czech artist Zdeněk Burian.  In this edition, Burian’s illustrations of ancient horned mammals are discussed.  This excellent article contains some beautiful examples of Burian’s work.  Giant beasts such as Brontotheres, Uintatherium and Arsinoitherium all feature.

Zdeněk Burian’s reconstruction of Arsinoitherium which appeared in Josef Augusta’s “The Age of Monsters”. The artwork is featured in an article outlining how the renowned Czech artist depicted ancient horned mammals.

Picture credit: Zdeněk Burian

Randy Knol chips in with updates on recently introduced prehistoric animal models whilst Pat Schaefer highlights MPC plastic dinosaur figures from the late 1950s.  Editor Mike Fredericks reviews new books and finds time in his busy schedule to interview author Richard Milner and artist Jay Matternes on their new collaboration.

With its captivating articles, stunning illustrations, and wealth of knowledge about models and model collecting, there is certainly plenty to celebrate when it comes to the sesquicentennial edition of “Prehistoric Times”.

Visit the magazine’s website: “Prehistoric Times”.