(Paperback)

Mazes and labyrinths in various forms have been a preoccupation of mankind for thousands of years. This text traces the history of mazes worldwide from the earliest known examples, and then describes those which have been created in Britain's gardens, parks and landscape.

(Paperback)

It has been over a century since Frank Hornby invented a toy to amuse his sons and called it Meccano, coining a word which has entered the dictionary as a term in common usage and is now known all over the world. Hornby's vision of an educational toy became the basis of perhaps the most successful British toy business of the twentieth century.

(Paperback)

Covers the history, development, use and fall from favour of many types of exotic instruments, from pocket-sized musical boxes to roll-playing pipe organs and everything else in between. This book describes pianolas, organettes, roller organs, orchestrions, nickelodeons, carillons and more.

(Paperback)

Tells the illustrated story of those who risked their lives collecting casualties from the front line, of the various transport and treatment facilities at their disposal and of the eclectic mix of buildings in which the wounded were cared for at home, including many famous country houses.

(Paperback)

Churches contain much of the most interesting medieval sculpture in the country. Magnificent effigies, whether of cast copper-alloy or stone, never cease to provoke awe and wonder, conjuring up glamorous images of an age of chivalry. This book uncovers monuments as a rich source of information relevant to an exceedingly diverse range of subjects.

(Paperback)

By learning how to identify the stylistic phases that resulted from shifts in architectural fashion, it is possible to date each part of a church to within a decade or two. This book introduces key features of each succeeding style, from Anglo-Saxon and Norman through to the three great gothic styles, Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular.

During the Middle Ages decorative floor tiles were used in abbey churches, royal palaces, parish churches and the homes of wealthy citizens. Many medieval tiles disappeared during nineteenth-century restorations but the designs lived on in the copies made by Victorian tile manufacturers. The British Museum has a collection of these tiles.

(Paperback)

As Britain's most popular sporting marque, MG has emerged as one of a handful of British motoring names to survive into the 21st century. This book provides an analysis of the rise and fall of a motoring legend.

(Paperback)

'Erected to inform travellers how far they have come and how far they still have to go, milestones are a relic of a time when life moved more slowly'. This book tells the history of milestones, many of which are disappearing as new road signs are erected and old ones are being destroyed.

(Paperback)

Model engineering was popularised by pioneering steam enthusiasts, and rapidly grew into an exciting world-wide hobby for amateur engineers. This book describes how model steam engines work, outlines the development of the machine tools used to build the models, and investigates the seven different categories of model engines.

Monumental brasses became popular during the Middle Ages and were commonly mounted on the walls and floors of cathedrals to commemorate the great and wealthy. Often depicting knights and bishops, these representations are a major source of information concerning arms, armour and dress in the Middle Ages.

(Paperback)

Well over half a century after it first appeared in 1948, the Morris Minor has become a much-loved classic car. This book traces the evolution of the Minor through the different phases of its development to its demise in the 1970s.

(Paperback)

This book surveys the variety of types of motor vehicle mascots and badges, introduces the designers, outlines the manufacturers and discusses forgeries and reproductions.

(Paperback)

Motor scooters are commonly associated with two manufacturers - Innocenti who made the Lambretta and Piaggio who produced the Vespa. This book traces the ancestry of the modern scooter.

(Paperback)

From global icons like the British Museum and the Ashmolean to the many hundreds of small collections to be found across the country, museums are at the very centre of our heritage. This book looks at museums in our culture and history as a whole, tracing the social shifts and trends which have affected them and of which they have been part.

Narrow gauge railways, so well suited to difficult, mountainous terrain, were built in many of the UK's most scenic locations. This title offers an introduction to a corner of British railway history.

(Paperback)

As Britain emerged from the Second World War, the armed forces desperately needed extra manpower to face new threats from old allies and to meet the considerable obligations of its Empire. This title explains what life was like for these recruits, from training to demo, and how they were affected by their experiences.

As manufactured goods became more easily available, ladies developed crafts such as needlework, to occupy their increased leisure time. This book illustrates and describes over 200 items used by Victorian and Edwardian ladies in their needlecrafts. It includes needlecases, scissors, tape-measures, thread waxers, pincushions and thimble.

(Paperback)

Contains Ancient history: the prologue; The golden age of motoring; The post-war years: changing times, change, and change again: the arrival of computers; Modern times: a fresh start; Collectors' gold; Islands and Ireland; Curiosities and eccentricities, auctions and anomalies; and further reading.

(Paperback)

Traces the development of the omnibus through the horse-drawn era to that of mechanical propulsion, when, after experiments with steam and electric battery units, the petrol engine reigned supreme until just before the Second World War.

(Paperback)

This book examines the rise and fall of the picture house in Britain before the advent of the dreary and unadventurous multiplex.

(Paperback)

Exploring the development of old delivery vans, this title discusses the improvements and fashions up to the 1960s, including the advances in locomotion from steam to petrol, electricity and diesel. Looking at the Ford Model T, it provides a comprehensive and illustrated introduction to the history and design of classic delivery vans.