W. Heath Robinson – part 2

November 14, 2015, 6:12 am

William Heath Robinson (1872 – 1944) was an English illustrator and cartoonist, best known for his drawings of complicated machines for achieving simple objectives. “Heath Robinson Contraption” is a phrase that entered the language during WW1 in Britain, and later in the United States.

William wrote and illustrated three highly successful children’s books (The Adventures of Uncle Lubin 1902, Bill the Minder 1912, Peter Quip in Search of a Friend 1933) as well as illustrating numerous others.

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 2 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1900 Poems of Edgar Allan Poe:

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W. Heath Robinson – part 3

November 16, 2015, 6:16 am

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≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 2

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 3 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1902 Dent's Andersen in German:

1902 The Adventures of Uncle Lubin:

1903 The Child's Arabian Nights:

Front Cover

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W. Heath Robinson – part 4

November 18, 2015, 6:58 am

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≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 3

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 4 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1904 The Works of Mr. Francis Rabelais:

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W. Heath Robinson – part 5

November 20, 2015, 6:00 am

≫ Next: W. Heath Robinson – part 6

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 4

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 5 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1905 Stories from Chaucer Told to the Children:

Frontispiece

0"He Saw The Magician Standing On the Shore"

"Lord Walter Came Into the Room"

"Palamon Lay Beside a Pool of Water"

"She Rose to Curtsy To Him"

"She thought of the two young princes who were prisoners there"

"To Them She Seemed a Martyr"

"When Her Boy Lay Asleep She Knelt At the Prow"

1905 Twelfth-Night or What You Will:

Front Cover

Title Page

Clown. Sayest thou that house is dark?

Clown. No sir, I live by the church

Malvolio. They have here propertied me; keep me in darkness

O time! Thou must untangle this, not I

O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first

Olivia. Well, come again to-morrow; fare thee well

Practising behaviour to his own shadow

Present mirth hath present laughter

So full of shapes is fancy

That can sing both high and low

Viola. She pined in thought

What country, friends, is this?

Yet you will be hanged for being so long absent

Note: I do not have captions for the remainder of these illustrations:

* * *

1906 Stories from the Odyssey

c1907 Birds-nesting in the Adirondacks pen and ink and watercolour 43.2 x 31.7 cm

1908 Baby Stork ink over pencil on off-white paper 20.3 x 25.4 cm Library of Congress, Washington, DC

1909 "The Night's Plutonian Shore" The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe pen and ink wash 46.7 x 59.7 cm The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

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W. Heath Robinson – part 6

November 23, 2015, 5:07 am

≫ Next: W. Heath Robinson – part 7

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 5

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 6 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1909 A Song of the English:

Front Cover

Title Page

Frontispiece

Original Artwork, watercolour 51.1 x 25.4 cm The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

* * *

1909 for "The Sketch". In the Scrambling Trenches of an Egg Arsenal. Pen and ink and watercolour Pen and ink 12.7 x 24.1 cm

1910 Collected Verse of Rudyard Kipling:

Front Cover

Frontispiece "We've sent out little Cupids all ashore"

Title Page

The Fires

Dedication from "Barrack Room Ballads"

I remember going crazy

Loud sang the sound of the jolly, jolly mariners

As out on the bridge she rolls

"Sister of mine, pass, free from shame. " Pass with thy King to rest!"

The Three Decker

"Ung" pen and ink 31.1 x 12.7 cm

Tomlinson

An' the man that spied me first was our good old grinnin', grintin' Gunga Din

The explanation

She laid it into her breast

Barrack Room Ballads - Indian Service "Mandalay"

Mary, pity woman

Me that 'ave followed my trade in the place where the Lightnin's are made

↧

W. Heath Robinson – part 7

November 25, 2015, 6:08 am

≫ Next: W. Heath Robinson – part 8

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 6

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 7 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1912 Bill the Minder:

Front Cover

End Paper

Title Page

Dedication

Bill the Minder

His Howls Became Terrific

Young Tooth-Cutters Forgot Their Troubles

The Only Minder of the District

The KIng of Troy

He Climbed the Rick

He Commenced his Tale

What a Time We Had

The King of Troy Compelled to Ask His Way

I Sign on as Cabin Boy

28 I Went on With My Sandwiches

For Years We Sailed

The Sport of Every Mer-kid

The Ancient Mariner

Endeavouring to Comfort the Old Man

We Grew Up in Comparative Happiness

He was Always at Hand

The Triplets Accompany the Army

Good Aunt Galladia

I Just Managed to Reach the Eggs

I Angle the Air

I Fell From my Position

I Erected my Pole on the Sands

Self Again

Note: Illustrations from Bill the Minder continue in Part 8 of this series

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W. Heath Robinson – part 8

November 27, 2015, 6:13 am

≫ Next: W. Heath Robinson – part 9

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 7

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 8 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1912 Bill the Minder (continued from part 7 of this series):

The Doctor

Far Sooner Have the Mumps

The Puff Baker

Treated with Delicious Jalaps

The Lord Mayor Held a Long Council

As Some Patients Prepared his Dose

The Very Sparrows Grew Thin

Bowing Politely to the Pillar Boxes

The Church Steeple Had Been Removed

Standing Alone Upon the Walls

Dangling by His Legs

The Respectable Gentleman

The Sicilian Char-Woman

I Took Leave of my Sorrowing Father

Hardly Disguising His Efforts to Ignore Me

Basil Herbert Develops a Chilblain

They Were Compelled to Send for a Physician

The Improvement was Maintained

Discovered a Clove Kernel

I Fell on to the Parsnip

They All Once More Started...

…On their Adventurous Journey

And Left Him to Have His Cry Out

The Whole Camp Was Fast Asleep

The Real Soldier pen and ink and watercolour (subsequently coloured by the artist) 28.6 x 21.6 cm

The Real Soldier

87 'But Hold!' Cried the President

Reginald Completely Lost His Temper

'Your Fate be Upon Your Own Head'

Floundering About in the Sea

In Expectation of Their Leader

Note: Illustrations from Bill the Minder continue in Part 9 of this series

↧

W. Heath Robinson – part 9

November 30, 2015, 4:39 am

≫ Next: W. Heath Robinson – part 10

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 8

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 9 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1912 Bill the Minder (continued from parts 7 and 8 of this series):

Harmless Indeed Were Our Joys

I Pleaded my Case

And Killed It On The Spot

We Cooked a Great Steak

She Now Made Off to the Woods

He Would Climb to the Topmost Branches

And Played it For My Delight

Sweeping the Dead Leaves

With no Other Wealth Than My Concertina

Affected by His Story

Plump into the River We Went

Followed Him at the Greatest Speed

There Grew in Front of Me a Great Mound

Sneezing and Sneezing

Heading to 'The Merchant's Wife' pen and watercolour 20.3 x 23.5 cm

Bringing With Them a Little Old Man

Moping About the Common

Kept Him Out of Mischief

Glorious Tarts and Sweets

It Didn't Matter How Much You Ate

They Came Upon a Great Stone Sphinx

The Heads Served for Dolls

You Are Now Our Only Hope

I Fished and Fished

Closely Observed From the Watch Towers

These Parcels Were Now Labelled

And Packed Him Off to Persia

Troy Became the Happiest Town

The End

↧

W. Heath Robinson – part 10

December 2, 2015, 6:36 am

≫ Next: W. Heath Robinson – part 11

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 9

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 10 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1913 Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales (part 1):

Front Cover

Front Cover 2

Frontispiece

Title Page

She Understood the Speech of Birds

It Was He Who Pulled Her Down

The Nile Flood Had Returned

There Was a Little Bird That Beat it's Wings

Placed the Golden Circuit About His Neck

Then She Saw The Storks

TOMMELISE The Swallow Soared High into the Air

'Thou Poor Little Thing!' Said the Field-Mouse

'This Is Just The Wife For My Son,' Said The Toad

She Stood At The Door And Begged For a Piece Of Barley-Corn

Oh. How Terrified Was Poor Tommelise

'Yes! I Will Go With Thee' Said Tommelise, And She Seated Herself On The Bird's Back

That Was The Greatest Of Pleasures

THE SNOW QUEEN They Carried The Mirror From Place To Place

He Chuckled With Delight

She Wore a Large Hat, With Most Beautiful Flowers Painted On It

The Swing Moves And The Bubbles Fly Upward With Bright, Ever-Changing Colours

Gerda Knew Every Flower In The Garden

Suddenly a Large Raven Hopped Upon The Snow In Front Of Her

'He Did Not Come To Woo Her,' He Said, 'He Had Only Come To Hear The Wisdom Of The Princess'

Cabinet Councillors Were Walking About Barefooted

And The Nearer They Were To The Door The Prouder They Looked

And Flapped His Black Wings At The Carriage Till It Was Out Of Sight

The Little Robber-Maiden

She Ran On As Fast As She Could

She Entered The Large, Cold, Empty Hall

THE ELFIN MOUNT The Elfin King's Housekeeper

The Mer-King Must Be Invited First

Round And Round They Went, Such Whirling and Twirling

They Felt Quite As If They Were At Home

I Will Have Thee Myself To Wife

THE LITTLE MERMAID

She Put The Statue In Her Garden

She Was On The Whole a Sensible Sort of Lady

The Youngest Was The Most Lovely

They Ate From Their Hands

Many an Evening She Rose To The Place

When The Sun Arose She Awoke

With The Rest Of The Children Of Air, Soared High Above The Rosy Cloud

THE STORKS Father-Stork

'Stork! Stork! Long Legged Stork!'

And Fetch One For Each Of The Boys

We Will Bring Hm Two Little Ones, a Brother And a Sister

Note: Hans Andersen's Fairy tales continues in part 11.

↧

W. Heath Robinson – part 11

December 5, 2015, 6:59 am

≫ Next: W. Heath Robinson – part 12

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 10

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 11 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1913 Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales (part 2):

THE NIGHTINGALE 'Oh! How Pretty That Is!' He Would Say

Then Began the Nightingale To Sing

Among the Branches Dwelt a Nightingale

They Admired the City, the Palace, and the Garden

The Kitchen-Maid

The Chief Imperial Nightingale Bringer

He Was Quite as Successful as the Real Nightingale

The Peasant's Wife Sat On Sundays at the Door of Her Cottage Reading Her Hymn Book

So Elise Took Off Her Clothes and Stepped into the Water

And Met an Old Woman With a Basket Full of Berries

Not a Boat Was to be Seen

There Was Only Just Room For Her and Them

I Must Venture to the Church-Yard

THE REAL PRINCESS I Have Scarcely Closed My Eyes the Whole Night Through

Princesses He Found in Plenty, But Whether They Were Real Princesses it Was Impossible For HIm to Decide

The Old King Himself Went Out to Open It

The Peas Were Preserved in the Cabinet of Curiosities

THE RED SHOES Karen

She Sat Down One Day and Made Out of Some Old Pieces of Red Cloth, a Pair of Little Shoes

And Karen was Dressed Very Neatly

Karen and the Old Lady Walked to Church

He Sat There Nodding at Her

Dance She Must, Over Field and Meadow

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES Two Rogues Calling Themselves Weavers Made Their Appearance

'Oh, It Is Excellent!' Replied the Minister

As if in the Act of Holding Something Up

So Now the Emperor Walked Under His High Canopy

THE SWINEHERD

All Cares and Sorrows Were Forgotten by Him Who Inhaled its Fragrance

88 And He Wept Like a Child

'Ach! Du Lieber Augustin'

The Swineherd Scolded and the Rain Poured Down

THE FLYING TRUNK And Flew the Trunk

The Son Lived Merrily

He Met a Nurse

'Will You Tell us a Story?' Asked the Queen

But Make it Let Us Laugh, Said the King

Their Slippers Flew About Their Ears

She Sat the Live-Long day Upon the Roof of Her Palace, Expecting Him

THE LEAPING MATCH

The Old Councillor

'I Say Nothing For the Present,' Remarked the King

THE SHEPHERDESS AND THE CHIMNEY-SWEEPER

THE UGLY DUCKLING The Poor Duckling Was Scorned by All

He Came to a Wide Moor

And the Cat Said, 'Can You Purr?'

1And Every One said, 'The New One is the Best'

THE NAUGHTY BOY

He Jumped Down From the Old Man's Lap and Danced Around Him on the Floor

↧

W. Heath Robinson – part 12

December 7, 2015, 6:02 am

≫ Next: W. Heath Robinson – part 13

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 11

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 12 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1914 A Midsummer Night's Dream:

Cover

Title Page

Frontispiece

Theseus. Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour Draws on apace.

Lysander. ... and she, sweet lady, dotes, Devoutly dotes, dotes in idolatry, Upon this spotted and inconstant man.

Helena. And therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blind.

Helena. Wings, and no eyes, figure unheedy haste.

Bottom. I will move storms, I will condole in some measure.

Puck. How now, spirit! Wither wander you?

Fairy. Are not you he That frights the maidens of the villagery:

Fairy. Mislead night wanderers, laughing at their harm?

Fairy. Those that Hobgoblin call you, and sweet Puck, You do their work, and they shall have good luck.

Puck. And on her withered dewlap pour the ale.

Bottom. Down topples she.

Titania. Playing on pipes of corn, and versing love To amorous Phillida.

Oberon. And ... break his faith, With Ariadne.

Titania. To dance our ringlets to the whistling wind.

Titania. Full often hath she gossip'd by my side.

Oberon. Yet mark'd I when the bolt of Cupid fell.

Second Fairy. One aloof stand sentinel.

Oberon. What thou seest, when thou dost wake, Do it for thy true love take.

Hermia. (Awakening.) Help me, Lysander, help me!

PUCK

Bottom. Are we all met?

Puck. Through brake, through briar.

Oberon. I with the morning's love have oft made sport.

Demetrius. Thou runaway, thou coward, art thou fled?

Helena. O weary night, O long and tedious night.

Oberon. Trip we after the night's shade.

Snug. Masters, the Duke is coming from the temple.

Oberon. Meet me all by break of day.

Puck. So, good night unto you all.

↧

W. Heath Robinson – part 13

December 9, 2015, 5:05 am

≫ Next: W. Heath Robinson – part 14

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 12

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 13 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson:

1914 for "The Sketch" July 1914 pen and ink and watercolour 40.6 x 27.9 cm

1915 for "The Sketch" September 1915. A 'Grouse as usual" outrage by a German officer pen and ink and watercolour 38.1 x 27.9 cm

1915 World War 1 cartoon

1915-20c Indoor Football; The Town Councillors of Muggleton ink over pencil and opaque white on illustration board 38.3 x 26.3 cm Library of Congress, Washington, DC

1915 Some 'Frightful' War Pictures:

Cover

Title Page

↧

W. Heath Robinson – part 14

December 11, 2015, 5:45 am

≫ Next: W. Heath Robinson – part 15

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 13

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 14 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1915 The Water Babies:

COVER

TITLE PAGE

FRONTISPIECE

ON THEY WENT

TRUDGING ALONG WITH A BUNDLE AT HER BACK

UP JUMPED THE LITTLE WHITE LADY IN HER BED

THEN HE SAW LIZARDS

PLAY BY ME, BATHE IN ME, MOTHER AND CHILD

"WHAT ART THOU, AND WHAT DOST WANT?" CRIED THE OLD DAME

SHE HAD STEPPED DOWN INTO THE COOL CLEAR WATER

THEY MAY BE JUST WHAT MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND

SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ONE AT LEAST

PEOPLE CALL THEM PTERODACTYLES

THERE ARE LAND-BABIES—THEN WHY ARE THERE NOT WATER-BABIES

TOM WAS QUITE ALIVE, AND CLEANER, AND MERRIER THAN HE EVER HAD BEEN

WHEN ALL THE WORLD IS YOUNG, LAD

AND EVERY LASS A QUEEN

AND JUMPED CLEAN OUT OF THE WATER

"QUICK, CHILDREN; HERE IS SOMETHING TO EAT, INDEED."

DOWN TO THE SEA, DOWN TO THE SEA

AND PERHAPS HE WOULD NEVER HAVE FOUND HIS WAY, IF THE FAIRIES HAD NOT GUIDED HIM

AND SAT UPON A LITTLE POINT OF ROCK

HE FELT AS STRONG, AND LIGHT, AND FRESH, AS IF HIS VEINS HAD RUN CHAMPAGNE

AND HE SWAM ON TO THE BUOY, AND GOT UPON IT

AND THE TERNS HOVERED OVER TOM

THEN THERE CAME IN A GREAT LAZY SUNFISH

AND A VERY DISTINGUISHED LOBSTER HE WAS

PROFESSOR PTTHMLLNSPRTS

THERE USED TO BE CHILDREN IN THE WATER

AND CRIED ALL DAY

SPEARING EELS AND SNEEZING

AND BECAME EVER AFTER A SADDER AND A WISER MAN

AND PLAYED LEAP-FROG WITH THE TOWN-CLERK

A REAL LIVE WATER-BABY SITTING ON THE WHITE SAND

THEY DID NOT WANT ANY INTRODUCTIONS THERE

THE WATER-BABIES COME INSHORE AFTER EVERY STORM

AND THE FISHES TOLD THE WATER-BABIES

BUT THE FAIRIES TOOK TO THE WATER-BABIES

THE OTHER CHILDREN WARNED HIM

AND TOM LOOKED UP INTO HER EYES

THOU LITTLE CHILD

"DEAR ME!" SAID THE LITTLE GIRL; "WHY, I KNOW YOU NOW."

ELLIE WAS QUITE SURPRISED AND SAD

HE WENT TO THE TOP OF THE WATER AND BEGAN CRYING AND SCREAMING

AND THEY SAT UNDER THE FLAPDOODLE TREES

"COME WANDER WITH ME,' SHE SAID."

SO HE ASKED THE BEASTS IN THE SEA

AND A VERY GRAND OLD LADY SHE WAS

AND THEY CAWED AND CAWED

AND TURNED INTO A WATER-DOG

THERE WOULD BE A NEW WATER-BABY ST. BRANDAN'S ISLE

BUT EPIMETHEUS WAS A VERY SLOW FELLOW

PANDORA

OLD MOTHER SHIPTON ON HER BROOMSTICK

YE ARE BETTER THAN ALL THE BALLADS

HE CAME TO THE GREAT SEA-SERPENT HIMSELF

HE FOUND GOTHAM, WHERE THE WISE MEN LIVE

HE HAD A GREAT PAIR OF SPECTACLES ON HIS NOSE

SO HE TOLD HIM PRETTILY ENOUGH, WHILE THE POOR TURNIP LISTENED VERY CAREFULLY

AND FAINTED RIGHT AWAY

HE SAW BEFORE HIM A HUGE BUILDING

SO SHE TIED THE BANDAGE ON HIS EYES

THE FIRST THING WHICH TOM SAW WAS THE BLACK CEDARS

I HAVE BEEN SITTING HERE WAITING FOR YOU MANY A HUNDRED YEARS

THE END

↧

W. Heath Robinson – part 15

December 14, 2015, 5:56 am

≫ Next: W. Heath Robinson – part 16

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 14

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 15 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1916 Peacock Pie by Walter de la Mare:

FRONT COVER

TITLE PAGE

* * * * *

1916 The Moon's First Voyage (unpublished)

1917 The First Aero Wedding

1917 The Saintly Hun (from Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries)

1921 Old-Time Stories by Master Charles Perrault:

Front Cover

End-paper

'They reached the house where the light was burning.'

Title Page

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD
'The king ... at once published an edict'

'A little dwarf who had a pair of seven-league boots'

'They all fell asleep'

'The most beautiful sight he had ever seen.'

'All that remained for the youngest was the cat.'

PUSS IN BOOTS
'As though he were dead'

'Puss became a personage of great importance'

LITTLE TOM THUMB
'A good dame opened the door'

'He could smell fresh flesh'

'He set off over the countryside'

'Laden with all the ogre's wealth'

THE FAIRIES
'Lifting up the jug so that she might drink the more easily'

RICKY OF THE TUFT
'She could not set four china vases on the mantelpiece without breaking one of them'

Ricky of the Tuft

CINDERELLA
'The haughtiest, proudest woman that had ever been seen'

'Her godmother found her in tears'

'She rose and fled as nimbly as a fawn'

'They tried it first on the princesses'

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

'She met old Father Wolf'

'Making nosegays of the wild flowers'

'Come up on the bed with me'

BLUE BEARD
"You must die, madam,' he said."

Blue Beard

'She washed it well'

Sister Anne

'Brandishing the cutlass aloft'

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
'At first she found it very hard'

"Look at our little sister"

The Beast

"Every evening the beast paid her a visit."

"Your doom is to become statues"

THE FRIENDLY FROG
'The approach to it was by ten thousand steps'

"Could your father but see you, my poor child."

'The journey lasted seven years'

PRINCESS ROSETTE

The wicked nurse

'She was an ugly little fright'

'She floated hither and thither'

'A kindly old man'

End-paper

THE END

↧

W. Heath Robinson – part 16

December 16, 2015, 6:16 am

≫ Next: W. Heath Robinson – part 17

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 15

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 16 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1921 Peter Quip in Search of a Friend: The Air-Ship ink and watercolour 20.5 x 15.2 cm

1921 The Home-Made Car ink over pencil and grey wash on illustration board 39.1 x 28.3 cm Library of Congress, Washington, DC

1921 The Home-Made Car ink over pencil and grey wash on illustration board 41.2 x 28.1 cm Library of Congress, Washington, DC

1922 Quaint and Selected Pictures:

Front Cover

A busy day in the constructing vaults of a model silk hat arsenal

An ideal home, with some novel furniture notions

The latest machine for tipping matches with phosphorus (Amorphous of non-poisonous)

1923 Topsy-Turvy Tales:

Front Cover

Title Page

"Skinnemelink" - And in it She Floated Home Safely
pen and ink wash 22.2 diameter (image) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

"And It Glared at the Dear Old Woman" Hanky Panky
pen and ink wash 37.5 x 27.3 cm (image) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

"He Made for the Door" The Chocolate Ghost
pen and ink wash 34.9 x 19.7 cm (image) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

"Hitherto I Have Performed it Myself" Six Dead Secrets
pen and ink wash 34.9 x 24.1 cm The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

"Over Farms and Fields and Rivers and Ponds" Cosey Hokie
pen and ink wash 36.8 x 26.7 cm (sheet) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

"Some Busybody Will Come Along" The Kelpie of Snooziepod
pen and ink wash 36.8 x 21.6 cm (sheet) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

"Splashing happily in the water"

"Take to your heels before it is too late!" Hanky Panky

"Then up and off again"

"They Heard Six Voices Calling Them Back" Two Wee Pogeys
pen and ink wash 34.3 x 24.4 cm (sheet) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

"Who Got it from the Fruit-woman" Peeriewinkie the Puudock
pen and ink wash 36.8 x 23.8 cm (sheet) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Peerwinki
watercolour and gouache 37.5 x 24.8 cm (image) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

The Six Dead Secrets
watercolour and gouache 36.5 x 24.8 cm (image) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Tailpiece
pen and ink 11.4 x 11.1 cm (sheet) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

* * * * *

1924 published in "Hutchinson's Magazine"
pen and ink and watercolour (b & w) 44.4 x 30.5 cm

1924 Holed Out
pen and ink and watercolour 37.5 x 27.3 cm

1925 published in 'Holly Leaves'"The Fairy's Birthday"
pen and ink and watercolour

1925 published in 'The Bystander "Casabianca of the Links"
pen and ink and watercolour 38.1 x 27.3 cm

1925 published in 'The Bystander' March 1925 "1 across !!!!"
watercolour 36.8 x 27.3 cm

1925 "The Fall of Przemysl"
ink over pencil, grey wash and opaque white on illustration board 43.4 x 32.7 cm Library of Congress, Washington, DC

1926 "How to train yourself to avoid being caught"

1927 published in 'The Bystander' April 1927 "An Unrecorded eclipse of the sun - an astronomical note"
pen and ink and watercolour (black & white) 38.1 x 26.6 cm

1927 published in 'The Humorist' July 1927 "Necessity is the mother of invention"
pen and ink 38.1 x 30.5 cm

1929 Nash's Pall Mall Magazine

1929 "Testing Artificial Teeth"
pen and ink and watercolour (black & white)

1930 published in 'Passing Snow'
"Noble Effort by the Italian Colony in London to Make a 'Do' of the Italian Exhibition at Burlington House
pen and ink and watercolour (b & w) 35.6 x 25.4 cm

1932 published in 'The Humorist'"Luncheon Hour on the Embankment"
pen and ink 42.5 x 33.7 cm

1933 published in 'Good Housekeeping' August 1933
pen and ink and watercolour 36.8 x 8 cm

1933 published in 'The Humorist' April 1933
"The language of eggs - some new designs for Easter eggs to
facilitate the exchange of graceful sentiments and amourous messages"
pen and Ink 43.2 x 34.9 cm

1933 published in 'The Humorist' December 1933
pen and ink 41.3 x 33 cm

1933 Shepherd's Hill, Highgate

1933 The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm:

Front Cover

A Great Success

Dreaming - That he Was Going Along in a Nicely Cushioned Boat

He Dashed After the Elephant
pen and ink 12.7 x 22.9 cm

On and On They Whirled -

The Professor's Invention for Peeling Potatoes

The Professor's Magnetic Suspenders
pen and ink 20.3 x 11.4 cm

The Professor's Trouser Elevator

- Was Handing Them a Cup of Tea Each

With Nothing on at All But a Big Smile

* * * * *

1935 published in 'The Humourist' January 1935 "The New Year's Bedroom Suite de Luxe"
pen and ink 41.3 x 33 cm

↧

W. Heath Robinson – part 17

December 18, 2015, 5:15 am

≫ Next: W. Heath Robinson – part 18

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 16

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 17 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1935 Railway Ribaldry (part 1):

FRONT COVER

FRONT AND BACK COVER

END-PAPER "NUT CRACKING ON THE G.W.R."

END-PAPER
Pen and ink 17.8 x 12.7 cm

TITLE PAGE

Artwork: Pen and ink 12.7 x 24.1 cm

Artwork: Pen and ink 22.9 x 15.2 cm

Artwork: Pen and ink 32.4 x 24.1 cm

Pen and ink 13.9 x 23.5 cm

Pen and ink 32.4 x 24.1 cm

Pen and ink 33 x 24.1 cm

Pen and ink 32.4 x 24.1 cm

Artwork: Pen and ink 33 x 21.6 cm

Pen and ink 33 x 25.4 cm

Pen and ink 33 x 24.1 cm

Pen and ink 12.7 x 15.2 cm

Pen and Ink 32.4 x 24.1 cm

Note: Railway Ribaldry continues in part 18.

↧

W. Heath Robinson – part 18

December 21, 2015, 5:53 am

≫ Next: W. Heath Robinson – part 19

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 17

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 18 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1935 Railway Ribaldry (part 2):

Pen and ink 16.4 x 20.3 cm

Pen and ink 32.4 x 24.1 cm

Pen and ink 32.4 xx 24.1 cm

Pen and ink 15.2 x 11.4 cm

Pen and ink 32.4 x 24.1 cm

Pen and ink 13.9 x 19 cm

Artwork. Pen and ink 16.4 x 22.9 cm

Pen and ink 15.9 x 21.6 cm

End-paper Artwork "The Stowaway. Pen and ink 17.8 x 20.3 cm

↧

W. Heath Robinson – part 19

December 23, 2015, 6:19 am

≫ Next: W. Heath Robinson – part 20

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 18

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 19 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1936 How to Live in a Flat:

DUST JACKET

CLOTH COVER

A VISION OF THINGS TO COME - A ROOF IDYLL ON STRATOSPHERE MANSIONS

EARLY FLATS

THE ROOF GARDEN

ROMANTIC POSSIBILITIES IN MODERN FLATS

A FLAT WEDDING

PLAN OF A FOUR-ROOMED FLAT WARMED BY ONE STOVE

THE SPARE BEDROOM

ECONOMY OF SPACE IN THE LOUNGE HALL

THE MUSIC ROOM

THE FRESH AIR PARLOUR

THE DRESSER-PIANO

MODERNITY IN BEDROOM FURNITURE

MODERN CARPET DESIGNS MAY PROVIDE ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT FOR YOUR FRIENDS

PETS' PLAYGROUND, TRYPLIT MANSIONS

SOME FLAT DWELLERS MANAGE TO KEEP A COW

PETS' CORNER, BOLDERSBURY COURT, S.W.

A PRETTY LITTLE BIRD BATH AT LINNET COURT

A ROUND OF GOLF AT DORISDENE MANSIONS

THE ANNUAL GOLDFISHING COMPETITION

HOLIDAY JOYS IN MODERN FLATS

AN ARTISTIC WAY OF HIDING AN UNSIGHTLY VIEW

BATHROOM SPACE ECONOMY

OVERCOMING THE DIFFICULTY OF CLEANING THE OUTSIDE OF A CASEMENT WINDOW

CONVERSION OF AN OLD-FASHIONED SCULLERY TO A BATHROOM

SECTION OF A CONVERTED HOUSE, SHOWING CONVENIENT ARRANGEMENT OF SPACE AVAILABLE FOR LOUNGE AND DINING-ROOM

WASHING DAY

LIFT COMFORT

QUICK SERVICE IN BREAKFAST PARLOURETTE

THE DINNER GONG

COMPACT ARRANGEMENT OF THE LIMITED SPACE IN A BUNGALOW DINING-ROOM

THE BABY GRAND IN A BUNGALOW

THE SNEEZE

THE FLOATING BUNGALOW, FOR DISTRICTS SUBJECT TO FLOODS

THE BUNGALOW KITCHENETTE

HANDING UP THE DEOCH AN' DORIS IN A MODERN SERVICE FLAT

COMMUNAL EURHYTHMICS AND PHYSICAL JERKS ON SATURDAY AFTERNOONS

* * * * *

1937 How to be a Perfect Husband:

Front Cover

* * * * *

1939 How to be a Motorist:

Original Cover

Later Cover

* * * * *

1937 Published in "Tit-Bits" December 1937. Title page.
pen and ink 41.3 x 31.3 cm

1938 An early attempt to split the atom

1938 My Line of Life

1940 Published in "The Sketch" The All-ways-at-once Incendiary Extinguisher
pen and ink and watercolour (black & white) 39.3 x 29.1 cm

1940 Mein Rant

1942 Published in "The Sketch" Enemy Ice Mortars for Preventing Pursuit When Crossing Frozen Rivers
pen and ink and watercolour (black & white) 38.7 x 29.8 cm

1942 Published in "The Sketch" A New Method of Training Young German Ski Troops
to do the Goose Step on the Frozen Steppes of Russia
pen and ink and watercolour 40.6 x 30.5 cm

1943 Published in "Holly Leaves"

↧

W. Heath Robinson – part 20

December 30, 2015, 6:12 am

≫ Next: Audubon: Birds of America part 1

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 19

In the run up to WW1, Robinson became known for a series of drawings in magazines such as The Sketch and The Tatler, many of which I will be featuring in this comprehensive look at his work.

This is part 20 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson

1943 How to Run a Communal Home:

A Community Supper Party

An Interesting Ceremony in a Communal Home - Signing the Housekeeping Cheque on Saturday Morning
pen and ink 22.8 x 13.3 cm

And So to Bed
pen and ink 20.3 x 15.2 cm

Another Revival of an Old Ceremony 'The Birthday Kiss'
pen and ink 11.3 x 14 cm

Carrying on in the Dining Room During Spring Cleaning in a Communal Establishment
pen and ink 10.8 x 38.7 cm

Collective Good Bye to the Children When Off to the Office in the Morning
pen and ink 11.4 x 13.9 cm

Communal Deck Chairs
pen and ink 7.6 x 13.9 cm

Communal Dominoes
pen and ink 8.9 x 13.3 cm

Cultivating the Perfect Lullaby Rhythm
pen and ink 11.4 x 14 cm

Dental Inspection with no Fuss
pen and ink 10.1 x 15.2 cm

Drawing Lots for the Next Bath
pen and ink 8.5 x 23.9 cm

For Checking that Growing Stiffness of the Joints
pen and ink 19.7 x 14 cm

Inauguration of the Strawberry and Cream Season - Bringing in the First Strawberry
pen and ink12.7 x 18 cm

Inculcating the Communal Virtues - Resisting Temptation
pen and ink 15.9 x 12.7 cm

Inoffensive Method of Choosing by Weight
pen and ink 11.4 x 11.4 cm

Learning Communal Table Manners - An Exercise in Self-Restraint

Modesty Toilet Boxes for Those Who Share a Common Dressing Room
pen and ink 15.8 x 15.2 cm

Parlour Golf
pen and ink 23.5 x 14.6 cm

Pill & Spoon Cricket For Winter Evenings
pen and ink 6.3 x 16.5 cm

Revival of the Time-Honoured Rite of Tossing the Pancake on Shrove Tuesday
pen and ink 16.5 x 13.9 cm

Sectional View of Modern Flats Explaining the Use of the Communal Bath
pen and ink 13.9 x 11.4 cm

Selecting a Mate - Which Shall it be?
pen and ink 10.2 x 15.9 cm

Selecting Mate - Disguised Chromium Lung Test
pen and ink 10.2 x 12.7 cm

Six-Handed Draughts
pen and ink 12.7 x 12.7 cm

Spring Cleaning - Arrival of Sweep During Breakfast Time
pen and ink 7 x 16.5 cm

Studying the Unsocial and Predatory Habits of the Mosquito
pen and ink 10.8 x 12.1 cm

Sweeping the Carpet in the Lounge without Disturbing the Occupants
pen and ink 14 x 15.2 cm

Testing Fiancée's Reaction to Shock
pen and ink 15.2 x 13.3 cm

The Bedside Gas Cooker - Breakfast in Bed for the Hard-Worked Housewife
pen and ink 13.3 x 14 cm

The Botany Lesson - Taking No Chances
pen and ink 10.8 x 10.2 cm

The Communal Spirit - Community Hair-Dressing
pen and ink 13.3 x 14 cm

The Communal Spirit in Nature - A Communal Bird's Nest
pen and ink 6.3 x 16.4 cm

The Communal Spirit in the Park
pen and ink 10. x 10.8 cm

The Diamond Wedding. Really Useful Presents
pen and ink 8.2 x 12.7 cm

The Exciting Game of Multiple Oughts and Crosses for the Older Members of the Community
pen and ink 10.8 x 15.2 cm

The Expando Fireside Settee
pen and ink 12.7 x 15.2 cm

The Harmonic Dresser for Relieving Kitchen Toil
pen and ink 15.2 x 13.9 cm

The Monthly Overhaul
pen and ink 20.3 x 13.9 cm

The Morning Brush Before Going to the Office
pen and ink 7.6 x 10.8 cm

The Perfect Type
pen and ink 12.7 x 12.7 cm

The Proposal Screen - For Making Proposals in Crowded Rooms
pen and ink 10.8 x 13.9 cm

The Spanking Machine for Testing the Vigour of the Smack Before Assuming Responsibilities of Motherhood
pen and ink 8.5 x 12.1 cm

The Triangle - Interesting Method of Teaching Elementary Geometry
pen and ink 13.9 x 9.5 cm

The Uncommunist
pen and ink 13.1 x 12.7 cm

The Weekly Weigh
pen and ink 2 images 8.5 x 13.9 cm each

To Avoid Temptation and Embarrassing Situations on St. Valentine's Morning
pen and ink 9.5 x 16.2 cm

Useful Communal Sport - The Potato Peeling Race
pen and ink 12.1 x 16.5 cm

Weaning the Baby. The Ancient Ceremony of the First Bottle
pen and ink 12.7 x 15.9 cm

Welcome Home From the Office in the Evening
pen and ink 8.5 x 13.9 cm

↧

Audubon: Birds of America part 1

January 4, 2016, 6:13 am

≫ Next: Audubon: Birds of America part 2

≪ Previous: W. Heath Robinson – part 20

John James Audubon by John Syme 1826 oil on canvas 90.2 x 69.8 cm The White House, Washington, DC

John James Audubon (1785 - 1851) is perhaps the most renowned wildlife artist in America, universally acknowledged by both art and natural history museums. He was born in 1875 in Les Cayes, Santo Domingo (now Haiti).

From his father's Pennsylvania estate, Audubon made the first bird-ringing experiments. After failing in various business ventures, he concentrated on drawing and studying birds, which took him from Florida to Labrador. His extraordinary four-volume The Birds of America, first published in London in 1827, was a 12-year enterprise that exponentially increased the knowledge of American ornithological and natural history.

Subsequently, Audubon embarked on a companion project for mammals, The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America.

Arctic Hare c1841 pen and black ink and graphite with watercolour and oil paint on paper 61 x 86.9 cm National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

This project occupied him from 1830 until his death in 1851. Of the approximately 150 artworks undertaken for this project, nearly half were completed by his son, John Woodhouse Audubon (1812 - 1862).

The images featured in this series are mainly hand-coloured etchings and aquatints, with a few original watercolours here and there. (You can click on individual images to enlarge them).