W. Heath Robinson

K. R. G. Browne

W. Heath Robinson is best known for his hilarious drawings of zany contraptions, though his work ranged across a wide variety of topics covering many aspects of British life in the decades following the First World War. Starting out as a watercolour artist, he quickly turned to the more lucrative field of book illustration and developed his forte in satirical drawings and cartoons. He was regularly commissioned by the editors of Tatler and The Sketch and in great demand from advertising companies. Collections of his drawings were subsequently published in many different editions and became so successful as to transform Heath Robinson into a household name, celebrated for his eccentric brand of British humour. Presenting such innovations as the 'Zip-Opening Bonnet', the 'Duo-car for the Incompatible' and the handy 'New Rear Wheel Gear for Turning the Car in One Movement', this volume of Heath Robinson illustrations with commentary by K.R.G. Browne will appeal to 'everybody who is ever likely to drive, be driven in, or get run over by a mechanically propelled vehicle'.

Heath Robinson: How to Be a Motorist

Soldiers disguised as a herd of cows, cork bath mats for troops crossing streams and a tank with a piano attachment for camp concerts are just some of the absurd inventions to be found in this book of cartoons designed to keep spirits up during the Second World War. These intricate comic drawings poke gentle fun at both the instruments of war and the indignity of the air-raid shelter in Heath Robinson's inimitable style.

The Satirical Cartoons

Heath Robinson's Second World War

W. Heath Robinson is best known for his hilarious drawings of zany contraptions, though his work ranged across a wide variety of topics covering many aspects of British life in the decades following the First World War. Starting out as a watercolour artist, he quickly turned to the more lucrative field of book illustration and developed his forte in satirical drawings and cartoons. He was regularly commissioned by the editors of Tatler and The Sketch and in great demand from advertising companies. Collections of his drawings were subsequently published in many different editions and became so successful as to transform Heath Robinson into a household name, celebrated for his eccentric brand of British humour. Heath Robinson drew many cartoons lampooning the excesses of the First World War and poking fun at the German army, bringing welcome comic relief to British soldiers and civilians. This book presents his complete First World War satire, from ridiculous weapons such as 'Button Magnets' to aeronautical antics and a demonstration of how to have a 'Quiet Cup of Tea at the Front.'

Heath Robinson's Great War

This playful and richly imaginative tale recounts the exploits of the ingenious Uncle Lubin, whose attempts to rescue his nephew from the clutches of a loathsome bag-bird involve inventions ranging from an air-ship to a submersible sea-boat. Every page of the enchanting 1902 adventure features remarkable pen-and-ink drawings by W. Heath Robinson.

The Adventures of Uncle Lubin

A fantastic collection of W. Heath Robinson’s drawing depicting humorous wartime scenes from World War I. These 24 full page drawings originally appeared in ‘The Sketch’ and in ‘The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News’. W. Heath Robinson was an English cartoonist and illustrator, best known for drawings of ridiculously complicated machines – for achieving deceptively simple objectives. Such was (and is) his fame, that the term ‘Heath Robinson’ entered the English language during the First World War, as a description of any unnecessarily complex and implausible contrivance.

Some 'Frightful' War Pictures - Illustrated by W. Heath Robinson

W. Heath Robinson is best known for his hilarious drawings of zany contraptions, though his work ranged across a wide variety of topics covering many aspects of British life in the decades following the First World War. Starting out as a watercolour artist, he quickly turned to the more lucrative field of book illustration and developed his forte in satirical drawings and cartoons. He was regularly commissioned by the editors of Tatler and The Sketch and in great demand from advertising companies. Collections of his drawings were subsequently published in many different editions and became so successful as to transform Heath Robinson into a household name, celebrated for his eccentric brand of British humour. The perfect antidote to the estate agent's property description, this book, with illustrations by Heath Robinson and a witty commentary by K.R.G. Browne, shows you how to prove there is room to swing a cat in your living-room and offers many inventive space-saving solutions, such as the 'Combination Bath and Writing Desk for Business Men', the 'Bed Dining-table' and the 'Dresser-Piano'.

How to Live in a Flat

Cecil Hunt

How does one play bridge in a gas mask? Or enjoy motoring without consuming petrol? Or deal with a nationwide shortage of pea-sticks? For this compact little book Heath Robinson joined forces with writer Cecil Hunt to show civilians 'how to make the best of things' during the air raids, rationing, allotment tending and blackouts of the Second World War. The result is a warm celebration of the British population's ability to 'make do and mend'.

How to Make Do and Mend in Style

Heath Robinson's Home Front

For the past two hundred years, Western readers, young and old alike, have been transported to the fabulous Orient by means of these remarkable stories, in which the everyday mingles on an equal footing with the uncanny and the miraculous. Accompanying the text are illustrations by W. Heath Robinson, which are themselves miracles of visual and imaginative sympathy.

Aladdin and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights

Hans Christian Andersen

This beautiful book, originally published in 1913, contains a collection of seventeen classic fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen. Stories include, The March King’s Daughter, The Snow Queen, The Storks, The Real Princess, The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling and more. These classic tales are accompanied by 16 incredible colour illustrations many beautiful and intricate black and white drawings by W. Heath Robinson. An English cartoonist and illustrator, best known for drawings of ridiculously complicated machines – for achieving deceptively simple objectives. Such was (and is) his fame, that the term ‘Heath Robinson’ entered the English language during the First World War, as a description of any unnecessarily complex and implausible contrivance. Hans Christian Andersen (1805 - 1875) was a Danish writer. He wrote many poems, travelogues, and plays, but he is most famous for his fairy tales, which have been translated into over 125 languages and continue to have a significant influence on western popular culture. This timeless collection would make for a worthy addition to any child’s bookshelf and is not to be missed by fans and collectors of Andersen’s illustrated works. We are republishing it here as part of our ‘Pook Press’ imprint, celebrating the golden age of illustration in children’s literature. We publish rare and vintage Golden Age illustrated books, in high-quality colour editions, so that the masterful artwork and story-telling can continue to delight both young and old.

W. Heath Robinson

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