Contraptions

This is a delightfully illustrated book that was printed to coincide with the Heath Robinson Exhibition that took place at The Cartoon Museum in London in 2007. (FINISHED IN OCTOBER)

It is NOT the official publication for that exhibition and the content differs in that there are fewer earlier works represented here, and not so many wartime sketches which are very funny indeed and worth tracking down, what with 'The Enemy' always being portrayed in traditional Prussian garb, pot-bellied and complete with comical spikey-helmet!

However this book, as the title suggests is probably the best (and only) readily available book on the subject of Heath Robinson contraptions and will delight and amuse all ages. it is a Hardback at about A4 size and has an attractive Dust-Jacket (seen in the Amazon Illustration). There is a small introduction with some biographical detail, and then from page 9 to 191 a continuous sequence of excellent illustrations at nearly full-page with some in full-colour, limited colour, or black and white (as most of them would have originally been seen. It is printed on good quality paper. If you don't find these pictures funny, you may need to see a doctor as they are all excellent, obsurd, hilarious (delete as applicable)

The only thing missing is perhaps a bit more information on the illustrations, and some more wartime cartoons, but this is a very minor quibble as the official exhibition catelogue more than fills these gaps.

Highly recommended.