"Mr. Punch's History Of The Great War" Published By Cassell And Company, Ltd London 1920 Part 5

 

 

Unlike the films or the novels, the baddies in real life don't always get hanged in the end - they don't even get arrested! If only that war was conducted like the current crisis between Russia and the West, where countries freeze each others' assets instead of shooting, millions of innocent people would have been spared. And who would care if a handful of super-rich men lost their precious billions anyway? Nobody should ever forget the horrors that all wars bring on all sides and let's hope our leaders know a little bit of history if nothing else.

 

"Mr. Punch's History Of The Great War" Published By Cassell And Company, Ltd London 1920 Part 4

 

These two are by George Loraine Stampa(1875-1951). A brief biography here: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/ARTstampa.htm and here: http://brbl-archive.library.yale.edu/exhibitions/illustratedword/comics/10comics.html

 

"Mr. Punch's History Of The Great War" Published By Cassell And Company, Ltd London 1920 Part 3

 

These four are by Frank Reynolds(1876-1953), another well known Punch cartoonist. I had another post on Reynolds a few years back, including a brief biography:
http://picturesfromanoldbook.blogspot.co.uk/2009/12/golf-book1932-illustrated-by-frank.html
Here's also a link with more information on the artist: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/ARTreynolds.htm

 

"Mr. Punch's History Of The Great War" Published By Cassell And Company, Ltd London 1920 Part 2

 

Two more by H.M. Bateman - I love the animated figures and their impossible poses! Just imagine, these were created some ten years prior to Mickey Mouse, Popeye or Betty Boop! Impressive drawings.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._M._Bateman

 

"Mr. Punch's History Of The Great War" Published By Cassell And Company, Ltd London 1920 Part 1

With the hundredth anniversary of World War I coming up this year I thought this book will be of some interest. It came out in 1919 (my copy is of the 9th edition) so I suppose it carries the views and attitudes of its time and is obviously very patriotic and quite biased towards the British perspective. Still, it has some funny moments even though there was nothing to laugh about in all the senseless massacres of that war.

This one is by Henry Mayo Bateman (1887-1970), biography here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._M._Bateman

"Favourite Tales From Shakespeare", Bernard Miles, Illustrated By Victor G. Ambrus (Published by The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited, London 1976) Part 3

 

 

I imagine a lot of people will be familiar with the work of Victor G. Ambrus (born 1935), biography on:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Ambrus  His style is unmistakable, his figures always very dramatic in their postures and colourful garments, and beautifully drawn in every detail. Ambrus was born in Budapest, Hungary but had to flee his country in 1956, having been involved with fellow students in the unsuccessful Hungarian revolt against their Soviet-backed Government. He found refuge in Britain and, despite his limited knowledge of the English language, he continued his studies in illustration at Farnham Art School. His outstanding talent was soon recognised and he was eventually awarded a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in London for a further three year study in illustration and printmaking. The artist's official website is: http://www.victorambrus.com/Home.html The illustrations below are from "Hamlet".