The Sketchbook of Oliver Jeffers and Friends August 1, 2012

In 2004, NY artist Oliver Jeffers, would exchange a sketchbook with 3 other artists and follow one another’s lead with a weekly illustration. Over the course of 36 weeks, each would respond to the previous artwork which proceeded them and then forward it onto the next in line. Once completed, the sketchbook had travelled over 60,000 miles, and crossed the Atlantic on numerous occasions. So I wonder who was the lucky person who got to keep…

A Natural Selection July 17, 2012

This complete set of 108 British natural history books sold recently at Bonhams for over $8200. The New Naturalist, containing topics relevant to the British Isles, is arguably one of the most influential natural history series ever published and has been in continual publication by Collins since 1945. It was first published just after WWII ended and signaled a renewal for the beleaguered Brits at that time. In the editors’ words, it was intended to “recapture the inquiring spirit of the old naturalists” and to…

Jews in the Funny Pages June 25, 2012

In the first two books of this seminal series that deals with how comics reflect the culture they emanate from, Federick Stromberg dealt with the representation of Blacks and the Devil. For volume three he turns to the Semites. Spanning five centuries and featuring over 150 images the book becomes an instant essential reference. Chapters include Anti-Semitism, the Old Testament, the Holocaust, Israel, the Golem and the artists range from A-list types like Will Eisner…

Winds Of War Stir Nation’s Libraries March 31, 2010

Illustrator and theatrical designer Charles Buckles Falls created this lithograph to promote the American Library Association’s First World War book drives for soldiers. Donated books were seen as a key to keeping up morale, and stocked temporary wartime libraries, as well as being given directly to soldiers. The most popular books on the frontlines were adventure and detective fiction, biographies, military histories, and travel journals. As the war wound down, soldiers began to request titles…