Central & Gus
Henry Gossamer Opossum Motivational Poster
Henry Gossamer Opossum Motivational Poster
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Henry Gossamer Opossum, appropriately named for his downy-soft fur, is a snuggler. If he has things his way, he'd stay tucked deep in the coziest corner of his sleeping bag all day. Generally, because he was up reading all night prior; he can never seem to put down a good book. It's a habit that has set Henry's circadian cycle all askew and has him bright-eyed clear through 'til dawn. This wouldn't be so bad, but it has meant that his nights are spent all alone.
So, Henry decided to open a moonlight library, nocturnal hours only. There, he's stocked the shelves with his savoured collection of children's books (purely for reminiscence sake), with their beautifully rich illustrations and fantastic stories. Experimental and unique books flesh out the collection; it is always a treat to be surprised with each turn of the page. The rest are primarily non-fiction: in pristine condition, with spines whole, pages crisp and nary a dog ear, mysterious stain or margin comment in sight.
From Plato to Thoreau, 'The Pig Who Sang to the Moon' to 'Music of the Primes', quantum physics to metaphysics. Henry's library is surprisingly busy with both book lovers and nocturnes. Delighted, he's thinking he'll set up a book club, and an exchange programme. Interesting how such a solitary hobby has offered so much camaraderie.
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Motivational Poster in protective cello, SHIPS IN MAILING TUBE. Each Motivational Poster is accompanied by a whimsical tale of the animal featured. Entirely collectible, the stories intertwine, creating a much-loved community of characters. We print on a luxurious 318 gsm, 100% cotton paper. Soft and durable, this paper showcases crisp detail and vibrant colour.
We donate a portion of gross sales to animal welfare.
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Engaging characters + stories
Delightful stories on the back of each illustration are an added bonus that our customers love.
These are even more beautiful in person! I am so happy with this purchase and can't wait to display them! The stories that come with the posters are even cuter and I love that a portion of the proceeds go to animal welfare. I'm originally from Florida (Miami area) so I love recognizing the names of some of these places and animals. Very cool! Highly recommend and it was packaged so well!
Frequently Asked Questions
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They are — and that's one of the things that makes Central & Gus so unique. Every character lives in the same universe. They know each other, reference each other, cross paths at the switchboard, in the woods, at the patisserie, on the road. Collecting them is a little like reading a novel one chapter at a time — except each chapter fits on your wall or popped in the post for a stamp to someone you love.
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We spent a long time on this. Every Central & Gus illustration is hand-drawn in pencil — and so we are eternally inspired by the classic #2, enrobed in that particular shade of yellow. For that, we call it Ticonderoga Harvest. Studies on colour and emotion find that people associate this shade with joy — which felt exactly right. It also nods, quietly, to our farm roots, everything that grows out of the land, and also to a less tangible but just as important creative harvest. The envelope is not an afterthought. It is part of the story.
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They are extraordinary gifts — and we say that not as a boast but as something we hear constantly from our retail partners and customers. A Central & Gus card is not a card you send and forget. It is a card the recipient reads, re-reads, frames, or keeps in a drawer to return to. The story on the back transforms it from a greeting into a small, meaningful object. We have heard from one customer who had special date-day trips with his young daughter, each time choosing one special card for her coveted collection. The goldenrod envelope alone tends to stop people in their tracks. Another, a fiance purchased the entire set for his partner, a reminder of a day they spotted them in a shop and giggled while reading the stories aloud. These are not cards. They are moments, saved.
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Wholeheartedly yes — and the characters seem to know instinctively which age they are speaking to. Children are drawn to the illustrations, the names, the animals. Adults read the stories and find themselves unexpectedly moved. We regularly hear from customers who frame them in nurseries and living rooms alike, who give them to grandparents and grandchildren in the same gesture. The world of Central & Gus does not have an age. It has a sensibility — and that sensibility tends to recognise itself across generations.
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Yes — and we love that you asked. We offer curated collections and themed bundles. Our Open Water & Coastal set, our Woodland & Hedgerow set, our Wetland & Waterway, or our Start Your Collection bundle are all wonderful entry points. And for those that just wantall of themat once, The Whole Gang brings every character home together at a saving. Bundles make particularly wonderful gifts — there is something about receiving a community of characters at once that feels genuinely special.
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We do — and this is at the heart of everything we do. A portion of every gross sale goes directly to animal welfare. The characters you collect are not just whimsical illustrations — they are advocates. Every purchase is a small act of care for the natural world and the creatures in it. We are deeply grateful for every order that makes this possible.