Robert Gibbings would have been aware of the wordless novel genre by European artists at the time, these titles might be seen as a gentle mocking of the genre.
Robert John Gibbings (23 March 1889 – 19 January 1958)
Gibbings was an Irish artist and author who was most noted for his work as a wood engraver and sculptor. Along with Noel Rooke he was one of the founding members of the Society of Wood Engravers in 1920, and was a major influence in the revival of wood engraving in the twentieth century.
Wikipedia
Golden Cockerel Press
In 1924 Gibbings took over The Golden Cockerel Press publishing some 71 titles at the press and printed a number of books for others. He eventually sold the Press in 1933.
Gibbings’ two, nearly, wordless novels are:
- 1930, The 7th Man, A True Cannibal Tale of the South Sea Islands: told in 15 wood-engravings and precisely 189 words, and
- 1935 & 1954, A True Tale of Love in Tonga: told in 23 engravings on wood and 333 words.