WILLIAM HEATH ROBINSON. by Hamilton, James - 1992

London: Pavilion, 1992. 151 pp, 12 1/8" H. B&w and colour reproductions, photographs. "In this first fully illustrated monograph of William Heath Robinson's life and work, James Hamilton makes a refreshingly new exploration of the personality of this convivial family man and deeply serious artist. Through fascinating new insights, he traces the influences on his art, the development of his uniquely individual humorous style, and the unexpected path that his career followed: the switch from landscapes to book illustration, and early success as illustrator of Poe, Cervantes and Hans Andersen; the creation of his engaging character Uncle Lubin, his cartoons for magazines, and the First World War anti-German satires which earned him an enthusiastic following. Only after he had submitted his illustrations for a 'Complete Works of Shakespeare' in 1922, promptly cancelled, did Heath Robinson turn away from literary illustration. Then came the immensely popular books on golf and railways and motoring, murals and decorations for a liner, gadgets for the Ideal Home Exhibition of 1934, and a wealth of inspired magazine and commercial work. Hamilton rounds off his account of Heath Robinson's life and career with detailed appendices, including a chronology of his life, an important discussion of his sources, comprehensive bibliographies, and lists of his exhibitions, advertising work and ephemera. Published here for the first time are examples of the recently discovered Shakespeare illustrations." Dust jacket has very minor edge wrinkling.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Fine/Near Fine. Illus. by William Heath Robinson..