Pictures from an Old Book

I took the liberty to scan some more pictures from Mattias Adolfsson's second book (a lot of these can be seen on the artist's own blog: http://mattiasa.blogspot.co.uk/ which has been going on for years now). They are just so irresistible to look at, inventive, witty and quite unique! So much work has gone into them and he never runs out of ideas! Some originals are also available for sale on Etsy, https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MattiasAdolfssonShop

http://www.mattiasadolfsson.com/

Three very funny and quirky illustrations from this 70's educational book I picked up from a charity shop recently by Derek Collard. Not much information on the artist I'm afraid but here's an other interesting example of his work from this blog: http://illostribute.com/tag/derek-collard/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Stobbs

Every panel in this book could be a painting in its own right. Wonderful use of the medium, rich colours and textures. William Stobbs (1914-2000) is one of my favourite picture book artists - I've got one more book by him which I'll be featuring soon on this blog (see also "Jack And The Beanstalk" http://picturesfromanoldbook.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/jack-and-beanstalk-written-by-walter-de.html ). There is an extensive collection of Stobbs' children's books on the Fishink blog: https://fishinkblog.com/2013/02/13/william-stobbs-a-childrens-illustrator/

A few more examples from the dozens of illustrations contained in this book. To my irritation a child from the past has mutilated quite a lot of the pages, written and smudged on many others! So this old book is seriously battered. The work that's gone into creating the beautiful engravings and the elaborate letterheads is really admirable. No names of artists are given in the book but some signatures are legible on the engravings.

Alan Aldridge (British illustrator, artist and graphic designer, born in London 1943) http://www.famousgraphicdesigners.org/alan-aldridge

Helter Sketler

Nowhere Man

I'm Only Sleeping

There's A Place

This book I borrowed from a friend of mine so that I could take a few scans. It is a republication of the original "Beatles Illustrated Lyrics" from the late sixties. Although it contains a lot of the original pictures - especially the Alan Aldridge ones - the design of the book is absolutely terrible! I couldn't even bring myself to scan the cover! Among the many contributions by various artists I found these by film director Philippe Mora (born in Paris, 1949 but grew up in Australia) which I thought have interesting colours and quite odd compositions! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_Mora

This book is a compilation of several older stories by the famous American author/illustrator Richard Scarry (1919-1994), ranging from 1950 to 1968. This explains the variation in drawing styles and structure in the stories themselves. Apart from the great colours and compositions, the clarity in the stories and visual humour Scarry's drawing skills are just incredible! Every object is so well observed, the shapes,textures and patterns so accurate, yet the pictures appear to be simple and easy to the eye - just perfect for the young reader. Just look at those frogs above - exciting, funny and yet quite realistic! Classic.

A biography of the artist here: http://www.famousauthors.org/richard-scarry and on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Scarry

"The Second In Line" - From The Sketchbooks Of Mattias Adolfsson" (published by Sanatorium Publishing 2015)

"The Third In Line" - From The Sketchbooks Of Mattias Adolfsson" (published by Sanatorium Publishing 2015)

"In The Garden" Devised By Peter Usborne, Illustrated By Derek Collard and Pace Studios (published by Macdonald and Company Limited, London 1974)

"The Golden Goose" Illustrated By William Stobbs (published by Bodley Head Ltd, 1966)

"The Golden Goose" Illustrated By William Stobbs (published by Bodley Head Ltd, 1966) - Part 2

"The Golden Goose" Illustrated By William Stobbs (published by Bodley Head Ltd, 1966) - Part 3

"The Quiver 1893" - An Illustrated Magazine For Sunday And General Reading And Enjoyment (Published by Cassell & Company London, Paris and Melbourne 1893) - Part 1

"Die Leute von Seldwyla" By Gottfried Keller (Published by Wilhelm Goldmann Verlag, Germany 1957 - first published in 1874) - revised

"The Quiver 1893" - An Illustrated Magazine For Sunday And General Reading And Enjoyment (Published by Cassell & Company London, Paris and Melbourne 1893) - Part 2

"The Quiver 1893" - An Illustrated Magazine For Sunday And General Reading And Enjoyment (Published by Cassell & Company London, Paris and Melbourne 1893) - Part 3

"The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics" Illustrations By Various Artists (published by The Book People Ltd, Little, Brown and Company, London 2003 - originally published by Macdonald in 1969 and 1971) - Part 1

"The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics" Illustrations By Various Artists (published by The Book People Ltd, Little, Brown and Company, London 2003 - originally published by Macdonald in 1969 and 1971) - Part 2

"The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics" Illustrations By Various Artists (published by The Book People Ltd, Little, Brown and Company, London 2003 - originally published by Macdonald in 1969 and 1971) - Part 3

"Richard Scarry's Best Story Book Ever" By Richard Scarry (First published in 1970 by The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited, Third Impression 1972) Part 1

"Richard Scarry's Best Story Book Ever" By Richard Scarry (First published in 1970 by The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited, Third Impression 1972) Part 2

"Richard Scarry's Best Story Book Ever" By Richard Scarry (First published in 1970 by The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited, Third Impression 1972) Part 3

"Richard Scarry's Best Story Book Ever" By Richard Scarry (First published in 1970 by The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited, Third Impression 1972) Part 4

"Wonderbus 7 - Perry Colour Books" Illustrated By Leslie Butler (published by Powell Perry c1942-44, Putney UK)

"Wonderbus 7 - Perry Colour Books" Illustrated By Leslie Butler (published by Powell Perry c1942-44, Putney UK) - Part 2

"Wonderbus 7 - Perry Colour Books" Illustrated By Leslie Butler (published by Powell Perry c1942-44, Putney UK) - Part 3