"Sending Secrets", Audrey Coppard, designed by Alison Prince, illustrations by Jane Hickson (published by William Heinenman Ltd, London 1972)

Check out these cheerful, post-psychedelic pictures from the early seventies. Such a lot of work by the illustrator. Lovely patterns and shapes.

"Engish Folk Heroes", Christina Hope, published by B.T. Batsford Ltd, London 1948 (original wooduts by Eric King)

Couldn't find any information on Eric King but these woodcuts are so beautiful. They remind me of Samuel Palmer's engravings in the way the shapes are formed and the use of dramatic light. Very strong compositions and drawing. The condition of the book is really good as well (apart from the worn cover) so they look like they've just been printed.

"Blood, Sweat & Tears" by Benjamin Gudel (published by Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin 2005)

This is not an old book. I discovered it while on holiday and I just had to have it. I was not familiar with Gudel's work and I haven't a clue what the pictures are about but there's something "edgy" in their quality that grubs you instantly. I love the richness in the colour and textures and the boldness in the composition - they'd look stunning framed. More fantastic characters like these ones can be viewed on Benjamin Gudel's own website, http://www.guedel.biz/ as well as the publisher's website http://www.gestalten.com/arteditions/archive/artist?artistid=ceaea7651df13b74011df29a05e400d5

"Spain For You",Text, drawings and design by Maximo (Published by Subsecretaria De Turismo, Madrid 1960's) - part 2

Just a few more from this fantastic sixties' Spanish Tourist Guide. I've been too busy for the past two months (mainly working on my veg garden and a trip abroad) but I've collected lots of stuff for the blog!

"Spain For You",Text, drawings and design by Maximo (Published by Subsecretaria De Turismo, Madrid 1960's)

This book is full of these funny illustrations and what an ingenious way to introduce and advertise your country's tourist destinations! The humour in these images is captivating and it compels you to want to find out more about Spain. The drawn type (I think from the early to mid-sixties) is fantastic. They remind me a lot of Saul Steinberg's work but then again he influenced whole generations of illustrators and designers with his lean, bolt and surrealist style.

"Bobby Bear's Annual", Arthur Groom, published by Dean & Son Ltd, London 1951

Brilliantly drawn nostalgic children's pictures from the fifties - no credits for the illustrator again. Many inspiring characters for both children and adults alike - I love the hand-drawn type and the sometimes "shaky" printing. Most of them would make great greeting cards in their own right.

"Victoria Regina" by Lawrence Housman, illustrated by E.H. Shepard (Jonathan Cape Ltd, London 1934)

No, this is not the first edition - it's actually the fourteenth - but never mind. These are classic illustrations from the 1930's. Just magnificent. This book (only cost me a couple of quid) is full of them. E.H. Shepard, famous for his "Winnie the Pooh" illustrations, displays here his huge talent and craftsmanship. Plenty of information available on Shepard on many sites. I'll be posting some more pictures in the near future.

Even though all the main pictures are so well drawn and full of expression and wit, I prefer the little spot illustrations which are much more freely executed (and tiny!). There is so much content in just a couple of square inches. Here are a few of the small ones.