CENTENARY – Celebrating the One Hundredth Anniversary of The Old Frees’ Association

Author: Quah Seng Sun
Design and layout by Adrian Cheah
Cover painting by Khoo Cheang Jin

In 1923, a group of high-profile individuals which included personalities such as Yeoh Guan Seok, Khoo Sian Ewe, Quah Beng Kee and Harold Cheeseman established The Old Frees’ Association, an organisation for former students and teachers of Penang Free School. The Association reaching its 100th anniversary in 2023 is indeed a milestone. The journey has been marked by resilience in the face of adversity: from surviving the ravages of the Second World War to enduring fires on its premises. Yet, amidst the trials, there have been moments of triumph as well. Notably, the Association played a pivotal role in giving Hutchings School its name, as well as supporting Penang Free School during its Sesquicentenary celebration in 1966 and Bicentenary in 2016. As The Old Frees’ Association reaches its own landmark Centenary in 2023, the occasion is commemorated with a book that reflects upon the Association’s legacy of the past century of years.

Monsoon Poems

Author: Yin
Cover design and layout by Adrian Cheah

I had to lay out 45 poems within a 104-page book for a good friend, who pens under the pseudonym Yin. When I first received the draft, I could not put it down. I read it from cover to cover in one sitting, stirring up a well of emotions. As I laid the last page down, I could only marvel at the depth of love Yin had for this late wife. I quickly grabbed my phone and congratulated him on an amazing book. I also told him that I would consider myself extremely lucky if I could love my wife as much as he loved his.

Penang Confidential – A Fascinating Glimpse into a Bygone Penang

Author: Mike Gibby
Cover design and layout by Adrian Cheah

I had the pleasure of collaborating with Mike Gibby, the author of "Penang Confidential", on three of his previous books. Each time, I have been impressed by his dedication to meticulous research and his passion for bringing his books to life. However, "Penang Confidential" stands out as a particularly exceptional and thorough work that exemplifies Mike's constant dedication to penning a gripping narrative.

Lies That Blind

A Novel of Late 18th Century Penang

E.S. Alexander
Book cover design by Adrian Cheah

What would you risk to avoid obscurity?

Malaya, 1788.
Aspiring journalist Jim Lloyd jeopardises his future in ways he never could have imagined. He risks his wealthy father’s wrath to ride the coat-tails of Captain Francis Light, an adventurer governing the East India Company’s new trading settlement on Penang.