1982 First Edtn Thus / Facsimile Edtn BILL THE MINDER By W. Heath Robinson Illus. W. Heath Robinson

1982 First Edition Thus / Facsimile Edition
BILL THE MINDER
Reproduced from the Original Edition

A handsome large-format facsimile of W. Heath Robinson's celebrated children's fantasy, first published by Constable & Co. in 1912. This 1982 Hodder & Stoughton edition was reproduced from the original edition and preserves Robinson's elaborate decorative design, colour illustrations and profuse monochrome drawings.
One of Robinson's most distinctive works as both author and illustrator, Bill the Minder follows Bill and his young cousins, Boadicea and Chad, through a succession of increasingly eccentric adventures populated by such characters as the King of Troy, the Ancient Mariner, the Triplets, the Respectable Gentleman and the Lost Grocer. Robinson's ingenious machines and densely imagined comic illustrations anticipate the mechanical contraptions for which his name subsequently became proverbial.
An attractive copy in the publisher's blue cloth, lettered and decorated in gilt, with blue endpapers and a clear protective glassine wrapper. Illustrated with a colour frontispiece and fifteen further colour plates, together with numerous black-and-white illustrations, decorations and vignettes throughout.
By W. Heath Robinson

Format: Hardcover, Royal octavo (8vo 6 1⁄4 × 10 in 159 × 254 mm )
 Note: Binding/size selection follows standard bibliographic conventions and is approximate; exact measurements may vary.

Language: English

Published By: Hodder & Stoughton, London
ISBN: 9780340277324

Condition Report:
Dust Jacket: No Jacket, Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
Fine - Dust Jacket: No conventional printed dust jacket; clear glassine protective wrapper present.

Very Good+ - A clean and attractive copy in the publisher's dark blue cloth with gilt lettering and pictorial gilt decoration to the upper board and spine. The upper and lower boards remain well presented, with gilt bright and distinct. The principal external condition point is noticeable fading to the spine, which has lightened considerably in comparison with the boards. Minor signs of handling and use only otherwise.

Clear glassine wrapper present, showing normal light handling marks and carrying an old small rectangular price or stock label to the upper panel. The wrapper has protected the cloth well. [Confirm whether this is the original publisher's glassine before describing it as such.]
Internally the volume presents very well. Pages appear clean and bright, the binding sound, and the colour plates retain strong colour. Illustrated with a colour frontispiece and fifteen further colour plates, sixteen colour illustrations in total, together with numerous black-and-white illustrations, full-page drawings, decorations and vignettes by W. Heath Robinson.
No significant foxing, staining or internal wear is apparent from inspection of the photographed leaves. [Confirm absence of inscriptions, bookplates, tears or other marks after final physical collation.]
A well-preserved and visually appealing example of the 1982 facsimile edition, retaining the handsome gilt-decorated binding and the full visual character of Robinson's original 1912 production.

Collation: xiv, [2], 254, [2] pp.; colour frontispiece and 15 further colour plates; numerous black-and-white illustrations and decorations throughout.

Please see Photos as part of condition report.



Author Bio: William Heath Robinson (1872–1944) was an English illustrator, cartoonist and author whose name became synonymous in Britain with fantastically elaborate mechanical contraptions devised to accomplish simple tasks. Before achieving widespread fame for his humorous machines, Robinson established himself as one of the leading book illustrators of his generation, producing work for The Arabian Nights, Tales from Shakespeare, Gargantua and Pantagruel, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Water-Babies and numerous collections of fairy tales.
Bill the Minder, written as well as illustrated by Robinson, occupies a particularly important place within his work, combining children's fantasy, elaborate pen drawing, decorative book design and the ingenious mechanical humour that became his lasting signature.

Illustrated By: W. Heath Robinson
Illustrator Bio: Robinson's illustrations for Bill the Minder range from richly coloured fantasy scenes to highly detailed monochrome drawings, ornamental borders and comic vignettes. The book displays both sides of his graphic art: the romantic fantasy associated with the Golden Age of illustration and the ingenious visual absurdity that would later make the expression “Heath Robinson” part of the English language.

Synopsis: Bill has been entrusted with minding his cousins Boadicea and Chad when the three children embark upon a succession of extraordinary encounters. Along the way they meet an eccentric procession of kings, mariners, doctors, soldiers, musicians, merchants and other curious figures, each bringing a problem requiring an equally curious solution.
The resulting adventures provide Robinson with the setting for elaborate inventions, comic misunderstandings and fantastical journeys. Written and illustrated by Robinson and first published in 1912, Bill the Minder remains one of the fullest expressions of his imaginative world and one of his best-known works for children.



SKU: BTETM0002286
Shipping Info: Approximate Package Dimensions H: 12.5, L: 30, W: 25 (Units: cm), W: 3Kg
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