(Hardback, 2nd edition)

A piano attachment for camp concerts is just one of the absurd inventions to be found in this book of cartoons designed to keep spirits up during the Second World War. These intricate comic drawings poke gentle fun at both the instruments of war and the indignity of the air-raid shelter in Heath Robinson's inimitable style.

(Hardback)

From the Blenheim Orange to the Ribston Pippin, this book tells the intriguing stories behind each variety, how they acquired their names, and their merits for eating, cooking or making cider. Beautifully illustrated and including practical advice on how to choose and grow your own trees, this is the perfect book for apple-lovers and growers.

(Hardback)

The art of being a good husband is not an easy one. This little guide was written in the 1930s for the middle classes - one of the first modern self-help books. Illustrated with contemporary line-drawings, it contains delightfully arcane and timelessly true advice: Dont think that your wife has placed waste-paper baskets in the rooms as ornaments.

(Hardback)

Covering such topics as unscrupulous second-hand car dealers, women drivers and 'dashboard delights', this charming and practical guide provides all the information needed to get maximum enjoyment out of the open road, complete with leisurely picnics and a little light motor-car maintenance.

(Hardback)

The art of being a good wife is not an easy one. This little guide was written in the 1930s for the middle classes - one of the first modern self-help books. Illustrated with contemporary line-drawings, it contains delightfully arcane and timelessly true advice: After all is said and done, husbands are not terribly difficult to manage.

(Hardback)

In 1942 the United States War Department distributed a handbook to American Servicemen advising them on the peculiarities of the British, their country, and their ways. By turns hilarious and poignant, many observations remain quaintly relevant today. Reproduced in a style reminiscent of the era, this is a wonderfully evocative war-time memento.

(Hardback)

In 1944 the British War Office distributed a handbook to British soldiers informing them what to expect and how to behave in a newly-liberated France. This book is an irresistible insight into British attitudes towards the French and an interesting, timeless commentary on Anglo-French relations.

(Hardback)

This remarkable booklet, often unintentionally humorous and sometimes crudely stereotypical reads by turns like a travel guide and a crash course in psychological warfare. It is very much a document of the period, revealing as much about British wartime attitudes towards Germany as it does about British hopes and fears.

(Hardback)

Did you know that marmalade, pirate, sketch and purse trace their linguistic origins back to the Athens of 500 bce This book offers a word-by-word look at the influence of Greek on everyday words in English, telling the stories behind their etymological developments.

(Paperback)

Here I am once more in this Scene of Dissipation and vice, and I begin to find already my Morals corrupted. Drawing together fifty quotations from Jane Austens letters and novels with vibrant illustrations which illuminate everyday aspects of life in the Georgian era, this beautifully produced volume is the perfect gift for Janeites everywhere.

(Paperback)

This generously illustrated book is the first history of the garden and arboretum for more than a century and provides an essential introduction to one of Oxford's much-loved haunts.

(Hardback)

For more than three centuries Oxford has been the subject of fine illustrated books and engraved prints. The best of these historic prints are reproduced here to create a panorama of classical Oxford, offering an instructive and captivating view of Oxford through the ages.

(Hardback)

An extraordinary account of the unique role that Oxford played in the Second World War, drawn from first-hand narratives and material from University and college archives.

(Hardback)

The Latin text of Magna Carta (the 1217 issue of Henry III) is reproduced, together with a modern translation and an introduction which traces the background to the making of the charter and its subsequent revisions through the centuries. It also explains how this text has become an enduring symbol of freedom in Britain and throughout the world.

(Hardback)

In the golden age of ocean liners, between the late nineteenth century and the Second World War, shipping companies ensured their vessels were a home away from home. This book leads the reader through each of the stages and secrets of ocean liner travel, from booking a ticket and choosing a cabin to shore excursions and disembarking on arrival.

(Hardback)

Ever wondered how ink is made Or what is the bestselling book of all time Or which are the oldest known books in the world The ideal gift for every bibliophile, 'The Book Lovers Miscellany' is full of fun facts, potted histories and curious lists, perfect for dipping into and sharing.

(Hardback)

A haunting anthology of supernatural stories and the macabre by well-known authors of gothic novels, folklore and fairy tales, each featuring a chillingly striking black-and-white illustration.

(Paperback)

Contrary to popular belief, the author of the first English dictionary is not Samuel Johnson, but Robert Cawdrey, who published his Table Alphabeticall in 1604 - nearly 150 years before Johnsons dictionary.

(Paperback)

The first work dedicated solely to the subject of slang words and their meanings, this book is a lost gem originally intended to educate the polite London classes in the parlance of thieves and ruffians, should they be so unlucky as to wander into the wrong parts of town.

(Paperback)

Generously illustrated with original drawings, fan letters (including one from President Roosevelt) and archival material, this book explores the mysteries surrounding one of the most successful works of childrens literature ever published.

(Hardback)

Of all the rules governing sport, the laws of cricket are among the oldest. Those of 1744 survive uniquely on a piece of linen at the MCC Museum of Cricket, drawn up when gambling on cricket matches was rife. The story of the evolution of these laws and how they affected the game is a fascinating and seldom told chapter in the history of cricket.

(Hardback)

With stunning illustrations by award-winning artist Alan Marks, the story of Oxford's Saint Frideswide - the Anglo-Saxon princess - is retold for young children as a tale of adventure, courage in the face of danger, friendship, and kindness, with a few surprises along the way.

(Hardback, Special edition)

Fitzgeralds translation of Khayyms quatrains celebrates the sensuous pleasures of life wine, food, love while also mourning the painful truth of its brevity. This beautiful collector's edition features gorgeous colour illustrations by Ren Bull, which provide a perfect counterpoint to the lines of this extraordinarily influential poem.

(Hardback)

Through essays on some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers and in-depth analysis of over forty manuscripts and books, 'Thinking 3D' tells the story of the development of the techniques used to communicate three-dimensional forms on the two-dimensional page and contemporary media.