|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 4 of illustrated children's book coversWelcome to this fourth page of illustrated book covers, all featuring car-related illustrations as found on old children's books. The earliest ones I have date to the early 1920s, with the latest probably nudging the 1960s, by which time - for me at any rate - the illustrations lost something of their magic, many annuals by then using photographs or poorly drawn illustrations. My favourites therefore were printed upto an including the 1950s, with the best of the lot probably heralding from the 1920s and 1930s. |
|
In all there are four pages in this section, featuring car-related artwork on children's books. This is Page 4. Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 |
 The Wonder Book of Motors Books of the same title were printed throughout the 1950s, featuring different cover artwork. This cracker shows a Grand Prix car at speed on what looks like a mountain track, or hillclimb. Subtitled inside as 'The Romance of the Road' this book, by Ward, Lock & Co. Ltd, is undated but probably dates to the early 1950s, if the articles inside the book are anything to go by. This was the sixth edition. |
 Motors - Over 50 Photographs This slimline hardback book, a Pageant Picture Book, was again printed by Ward, Lock & Co, features images of both cars and motorcycles. Undated once again, it looks like an early 50s publication to me. The cover features a red racing car, perhaps loosely inspired by the Alfa Romeo 158/159 Alfetta, receiving a splash of fuel and some plugs during a pitstop. |
 The Wonder Book of Motors Same title as the book shown above, but a different cover illustration and the fourth edition of this title. The contents are similar the that shown above, but are a little earlier in feel. I think this book probably dates to 1946/1947ish. The cover shows Captain George Eyston in his pre-war Thunderbolt Land Speed Record car. |
 The Modern Book for Boys The books shown above are about motoring, whereas this is a storybook that happens to feature a motor racing scene on the cover. The books dates to the 1930s, and features at least one story with a motor racing theme to it - "One-Track Parker" by Arthur Groom. Printed on thick card pages, this is quite a heavy old book, printed by Birn Brothers of London. |
 Motors Large and Small This is a small, slimline book dating to the 1920s. There is no date, just a note on the rear that it is "British Made" and by "B.B. Ltd No.688". It only runs to a handful of pages, illustrated with pictures of delivery vans, motor-coaches, vintage caravans, motor-cars and racing cars streaking around a banked track. Short poems also feature on each page to accompany the illustrations. Definitely one of my favourites. |
 Rhymes of the Road I'm sure this is by the same publisher as the slim book alongside, the only reference I can find is "682" on the back cover. This little book of nursery rhymes, all with a motoring theme to them, is a little cracker once again, with some fabulous full colour, plus some black and white, drawings on every page. The centre page shows an open-top charabanc, loaded with passengers, driving by a vintage petrol pump, and an open-cab petrol tanker. |
 On The Road Third in this group of yellow-covered slimline books is On The Road. Again just one small reference number on the back cover, "650", and once more a fine collection of children's illustration and brief poems to go with them. The opening poem goes as follows: "This is the very book for us, So read it quickly through, It tells us of the motor-bus, Of cars and lorries too., The gallant firemen you can see, The flames they'll soon put out, And everybody will agree, There's lots to learn about." |
 Joyrides This is another B.B. Ltd book, the Austin charabanc on the cover, and the car shown on the rear, both sport the registration number "BB 1685". This is a "Story Book for Little Ones". All the stories are briefing rhyming tales, all illustrated as with the previous books in this series. If anyone has any more books like this, please get in touch as I'd be interested to hear about them. All four date to the 1920s, and have survived in good overall condition. |
 Thrilling Stories for Boys Back to full-size children's annuals now, and a copy of Thrilling Stories for Boys. The cover illustration shows an epic duel between a red racing car, and an orangey-yellow one which is in hot pursuit. A handwritten note inside shows that this copy was given as a Christmas Present in 1940 to a young boy called Gordon. It was published by Dean and Son Ltd of Ludgate Hill in London. I wonder how long annual production carried on for during the war? |
 Racing Days Of all the full-size annuals, this is one of my favourites. This was a Christmas gift to a young child in 1937, awarded 1st in class 5, at Gaywood School. This was published by The Sunshine Press of London and Glasgow, and features pedal car illustrations, not just on the cover but also within. The stories themselves are a mixed bunch of adventures, but for me the illustrations are what really appeal. |
|
|
Website design by ableweb Disclaimer & Privacy Policy |