William Heath Robinson remains one of Britain's best-loved illustrators and has embedded himself into English vernacular, inspiring the phrase ' it's all a bit Heath Robinson' to describe any precarious or unnecessarily complex contraption. Born in London, he originally had ambitions to be a landscape painter, but would establish his artistic reputation as a book illustrator during the genre's so-called golden age. It was his association with weekly illustrated magazine The Sketch that was to launch and cement his legacy as a humorous artist. Combining a distinctive draughtsmanship with a curious and ingenious mind, the advent of the First World War inspired Heath Robinson to dream up a series of increasingly outlandish and bizarre military inventions with which the opposing armies would try to outwit each other. From the kaiser's campaigning car or a suggestion for an armoured bayonet curler, to post-war 'unbullying' of beef, his cartoons are a fantastically absurd take on wartime technology and home-front life. Sadly, his inventions were rejected by a (fictitious) 'Inventions Board', but the charm and eccentricity of his ideas was loved by the public and he remains to this day one of the finest exponents of humorous British art.

An introduction to the wonderful world of Heath Robinson, with carefully selected drawings from throughout his illustrious career, and a lively and informative commentary.

The first full-scale treatment of Robinson's early output, this anthology features more than 100 images from fairy tales, children's literature, and works by Shakespeare, Kipling, and Poe, many in full glorious color.

Heath Robinson (1872-1944) is fondly regarded for his mischievous, gently comic illustrations that have been enjoyed for generations. For the first time the advertising work of this incredibly versatile artist takes centre stage in this meticulously researched and highly-illustrated book. The name Heath Robinson immediately conjures images of overly-complicated contraptions, often held together with string and precarious in their construction. For a diverse range of clients, Robinson's inventiveness, humor, artistic skill and professionalism made him the obvious choice to advertise their products, which ranged from asbestos cement roofing to bread. Exploring the myriad companies which engaged Robinson's services, this book underlines the artist's significant contribution to Britain's cultural life. Including a complete list of Robinson's advertising clients and the work he undertook for them, this definitive account of Heath Robinson's commercial work will be unrivalled for many years to come.

With his comically floppy hat and striped baggy stockings, gentle, serious Uncle Lubin is left in charge of his beloved nephew Peter. One fateful day, a great Bagbird swoops down while Uncle Lubin is innocently napping, whisks away the screaming child in his beak, and flies to the moon.

A charming, deeply imaginative debut novel about a young girl who is immortalized in her father’s illustrated books containing clues to their family secrets. Romilly Kemp and her eccentric painter father have happy but sheltered lives in a ramshackle mansion in the English countryside. When her father finds fame with a series of children’s books starring Romilly as the main character, everything changes: exotic foods appear on the table, her father appears on TV and strangers appear at their door, convinced the books will lead them to a precious prize. But as time passes, Romilly’s father becomes increasingly suspicious of the outside world until, before her eyes, he begins to disappear within himself. She returns to his illustrations, looking for a way to connect with her ailing father, and finds a series of clues he’s left just for her. This treasure hunt doesn’t lead her to gold or jewels, but something worth far more—a shocking secret that is crucial to understanding her family. Written with tremendous heart and charisma, The Book of Hidden Wonders is an unforgettable story about growing up, facing mortality and discovering the hidden wonders that make us who we are.

Comic artist, W. Heath Robinson, drew this humorous collection at the request of the Great Western Railway who were celebrating their centenary in 1935. It contains views of hissing steam locomotives, hand-operated level-crossings, cattle trucks, and the odd curmudgeonly porter.