This Is Historic Britain.
Written and illustrated by M. Sasek.
Published by MacMillan in 1974.
First Edition
Binding: Hardback
Condition: VG. Both book and dust jacket in good vintage condition. There is an inscription to a previous owner, and some light foxing to pages. But mostly clean and bright.
This Is... is a series of children's travel books written and illustrated by Czech author Miroslav Šašek between 1959 and 1974.
if you love mid-century modern art and illustration you will fall head over heels for this book, a quirky, characterful exploration of the history of Britain, from the mystery of Stone Henge or the site of the signing of the Magna Carta, to the puddings, mills and hills of Yorkshire.
Miroslav Šašek died in 1980 and his books fell into relative obscurity for almost 20 years, until 2003, when this series was re-issued.
Nothing beats a rare first edition of this wonderful 1974 book though. Simple, funny sentences combined with an unmistakable midcentury graphic style.