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 19 of a 20 – part series on the works of W. Heath Robinson
1936 How to Live in a Flat:
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| DUST JACKET |
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| CLOTH COVER |
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| A VISION OF THINGS TO COME - A ROOF IDYLL ON STRATOSPHERE MANSIONS |
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| EARLY FLATS |
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| THE ROOF GARDEN |
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| ROMANTIC POSSIBILITIES IN MODERN FLATS |
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| A FLAT WEDDING |
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| PLAN OF A FOUR-ROOMED FLAT WARMED BY ONE STOVE |
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| THE SPARE BEDROOM |
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| ECONOMY OF SPACE IN THE LOUNGE HALL |
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| THE MUSIC ROOM |
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| THE FRESH AIR PARLOUR |
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| THE DRESSER-PIANO |
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| MODERNITY IN BEDROOM FURNITURE |
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| MODERN CARPET DESIGNS MAY PROVIDE ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT FOR YOUR FRIENDS |
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| PETS' PLAYGROUND, TRYPLIT MANSIONS |
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| SOME FLAT DWELLERS MANAGE TO KEEP A COW |
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| PETS' CORNER, BOLDERSBURY COURT, S.W. |
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| A PRETTY LITTLE BIRD BATH AT LINNET COURT |
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| A ROUND OF GOLF AT DORISDENE MANSIONS |
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| THE ANNUAL GOLDFISHING COMPETITION |
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| HOLIDAY JOYS IN MODERN FLATS |
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| AN ARTISTIC WAY OF HIDING AN UNSIGHTLY VIEW |
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| BATHROOM SPACE ECONOMY |
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| OVERCOMING THE DIFFICULTY OF CLEANING THE OUTSIDE OF A CASEMENT WINDOW |
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| CONVERSION OF AN OLD-FASHIONED SCULLERY TO A BATHROOM |
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| SECTION OF A CONVERTED HOUSE, SHOWING CONVENIENT ARRANGEMENT OF SPACE AVAILABLE FOR LOUNGE AND DINING-ROOM |
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| WASHING DAY |
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| LIFT COMFORT |
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| QUICK SERVICE IN BREAKFAST PARLOURETTE |
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| THE DINNER GONG |
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| COMPACT ARRANGEMENT OF THE LIMITED SPACE IN A BUNGALOW DINING-ROOM |
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| THE BABY GRAND IN A BUNGALOW |
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| THE SNEEZE |
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| THE FLOATING BUNGALOW, FOR DISTRICTS SUBJECT TO FLOODS |
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| THE BUNGALOW KITCHENETTE |
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| HANDING UP THE DEOCH AN' DORIS IN A MODERN SERVICE FLAT |
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| COMMUNAL EURHYTHMICS AND PHYSICAL JERKS ON SATURDAY AFTERNOONS |
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1937 How to be a Perfect Husband:
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| Front Cover |
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1939 How to be a Motorist:
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| Original Cover |
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| Later Cover |
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| 1937 Published in "Tit-Bits" December 1937. Title page. pen and ink 41.3 x 31.3 cm |
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| 1938 An early attempt to split the atom |
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| 1938 My Line of Life |
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| 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 |
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| 1940 Mein Rant |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 1943 Published in "Holly Leaves" |