Another post on the excellent How and Why Wonder Books series of nearly 100 titles (see 9 February below). Previously I described the high quality art work, especially the covers. How I was introduced to them via my late sister Bernadette Bazzoni having about 10 books bought by our father.
I now have about 77 of these, and the amount of detailed information in many of the humanities subjects: Crusades, Lady of the Lamp,Old Testament is surprising. Some of the scientific texts such as Interplanetary Travel have suffered as a result of rapid scientific advance. Written in 1960 some of the stated 'facts' become erroneous following planetary probes and the Apollo missions.
And today the discovery of Gravitational Waves again renders some information in many physics texts inaccurate. The hypothesised wave by Einstein is now confirmed. Gravitational waves have been detected between galactic bodies & originated a trillionth of a second after the Big Bang
Titles published after 1974 are usually rare. Snakes published in 1975 above. It features the cheaper photograph which the Americans opted for to lower production costs at this time.
Another American title.Looks quite effective until you realise it's one desk lamp pointing at a curtain!
A British only title next! These are rarer as fewer were printed. Everyone wanted a copy of Dinosaurs. This one is from 1970 as it's in the transition from imperial to decimal coinage. Hence two prices:
Worst artwork of the series during the 'illustrated cover era'
Another rare one but with a fabulous artwork-
Here the very rare British title Heraldry
Finally the rare and expensive Arms & Armour with a stunning illustration-
The very last titles of the How & Why Wonder Book series-
Never seen or heard until recently these ones:
- 6596 Rare Animals 6597 Ancient Egypt 6598 Oil 6599 Parliament
- 6600 The Ice Age 6601 Arab World - this will be very interesting as it predates the Iran Revolution & everything that has happened since
