Bookmarks: This is M. Sasek

This is M. Sasek book with a pile of the author's This is... book titles | H is for Home

The last book review we wrote was for an illustrated children’s book; this one’s not a children’s book, per se, but about a children’s author – our all time favourite – Miroslav Sasek. We were really anticipating this review copy’s arrival – we couldn’t wait to delve into more depth about the man whose books we avidly collect.

Portrait of Miroslav Sasek | H is for Home

It was originally published in the Czech language in 2014. This imprint – This is M. Sasek – has been published in 2018 by Universe Publishing, a division of Rizzoli International Publications, Inc.

This is M. Sasek title page | H is for Home

There’s a foreword by Martin Salisbury, an illustrator, author and Professor of Illustration at Cambridge School of Art. The rest of the text is written by Salisbury; Olga Černá, author and librarian and Pavel Ryska, artist, performer and historian of animation.

This is M. Sasek foreword | H is for Home

Sasek family history | H is for Home

We’re given a short account of the Sasek family and the artist’s childhood before embarking on his professional & personal history. The reader gains extraordinary insight through the inclusion of snippets from actual transcripts.

Sasek's work history | H is for Home

Sasek's work chronology | H is for Home

Letters from young fans obviously meant a great deal to Sasek. He kept many of them in his possession for the rest of his life and they form part of the rich family archive and artist’s estate which have been incorporated throughout this book.

Young fan letter to Sasek | H is for Home

Letters to Sasek | H is for Home

Many previously unseen sketches, letters, postcards, photographs and press cuttings have been reproduced within the pages giving us insight into the man as well as the artist.

Miroslav Sasek interview | H is for Home

We’re highlighting, below, his books in the chronological order in which he wrote and published them. Benjamin and the Thousand Sea Creatures of Captain Barnabas was the first, published in the Czech language in 1947.

Sasek's "Benjamin and the Thousand Sea Creatures of Captain Barnabas" | H is for Home

"This is Paris" by Sasek | H is for Home

"This is London" by Sasek | H is for Home

London Underground illustration from "This is London" by Sasek | H is for Home

"This is Rome" by Sasek | H is for Home

Barista illustration from "This is Rome" by Sasek | H is for Home

Sasek has been quoted as saying in an interview:

I originally wanted to do a series of three books – Paris, Rome, and London. I never thought it would go on and on.

However, the series did indeed go on, eventually totalling eighteen books! In addition, there’s a more recently published compilation edition entitled This is the World.

"This is New York" by Sasek | H is for Home

Unused drawing for "This is New York" by Sasek | H is for Home

"This is Munich" by Sasek | H is for Home

Illustrations from "This is San Francisco" and "This is Israel" by Sasek | H is for Home

"This is Cape Canaveral" by Sasek | H is for Home

Illustration of the Control Center from "This is Cape Canaveral" by Sasek | H is for Home

"This is Hong Kong" by Sasek | H is for Home

Crowd scene illustration from "This is Hong Kong" by Sasek | H is for Home

Money changer kiosk illustration from "This is Hong Kong" by Sasek | H is for Home

Sailors and local girls illustration from "This is Hong Kong" by Sasek | H is for Home

Hill houses illustration from "This is Hong Kong" by Sasek | H is for Home

"This is Australia" by Sasek | H is for Home

"This is Australia" by Sasek | H is for Home

Illustrations of hobbies and activities from "This is Australia" by Sasek | H is for Home

"Mike and the Modelmakers" by Sasek | H is for Home
As well as writing and illustrating books, Sasek was an extremely accomplished fine art painter.

"Little Boy with a Hoop" painting by Sasek | H is for Home "Lady with a Bull Dog" painting by Sasek | H is for Home

"Sewing Repair" painting by Sasek | H is for Home
His style – and in some cases, even subject matter – are very reminiscent of one of our other favourite artists, Bernard Buffet. Compare, for example, their depictions of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris; Sasek’s below and Buffet’s here.

"Church in Bruges" painting by Sasek | H is for Home "Paris" painting by Sasek | H is for Home

This book is a must for any Sasek fan, aficionado or collector.

**Many thanks to Rizzoli International for the review copy**

Miroslav Sasek washi tape

'Miroslav Sasek washi tape' blog post banner

Detail from a strip of Miroslav Sasek washi tape

We ordered a roll of decorative washi tape from online marketplace, Etsy a couple of weeks ago…

Air mail envelope to us from Japan

…a very pretty package duly arrived from Japan shortly after.

Contents of envelope from Japan

It came from seller Eriko Shirasawa whose Etsy shop is called Sweet Supplies Store. We have to sing Eriko’s praises – look at the effort that’s gone into sending a humble little item. It was nicely wrapped – stickers & stamps, business card, a hand written message – and what looks like paper confetti – lovely!!

Plastic wrapped Miroslav Sasek illustrated washi tape

On to the tape itself, which features illustrations by Miroslav Sasek from his series of ‘This is…’ children’s books.

Miroslav Sasek illustrated washi tape

In this case, it’s ‘This is London’ which dates from 1959. As we’ve mentioned many times previously, we love Sasek’s artwork. It really is fabulous – charming and witty – and very distinctive. There are a few different designs of tape you can choose from too.

Detail from a strip of Miroslav Sasek washi tape

It’s perfect for decorating notebooks or little gifts – hanging notice board items… or even acting as a decorative border to a shelf or wall.

This is Cape Canaveral

'This is Cape Canaveral' blog post banner

Vintage This is Cape Canaveral book with other titles in the series by Miroslav Sasek | H is for Home

We’ve just made a new addition to our collection of This is… books.

Vintage 'This is Cape Canaveral' book with cup of tea

It’s always a treat to make a brew and settle down with one of these gorgeous books for ten minutes – especially one we’ve never read before.

Vintage 'This is Cape Canaveral' book cover

Our new arrival is a first edition copy of This is Cape Canaveral dating from 1963. Later versions of this book were called This is Cape Kennedy and most recently, This is the way to the Moon.

Astronauts illustration from a vintage 'This is Cape Canaveral' book

As always, fabulous illustrations by Miroslav Sasek leap off every page.

Vehicle checkpoint illustration from 'This is Cape Canaveral' book

It’s a pleasure to share them with our readers – existing fans and perhaps a few new converts too.

Cameramen illustration from a vintage 'This is Cape Canaveral' book

 They’re insightful and very witty…

International newspaper headlines illustration from a vintage 'This is Cape Canaveral' book

…and full of wonderfully observed detail.

Rockets illustration from a vintage 'This is Cape Canaveral' book

They’re beautifully drawn and capture the era perfectly.

Mercury Control Center illustration from a vintage 'This is Cape Canaveral' book

They also have a real sense of optimism about them.

'Welcome Back' illustration from a vintage 'This is Cape Canaveral' book

We picked up this copy for £5 which was a real steal for a first edition.

Cape Canaveral gift shop illustration from a vintage 'This is Cape Canaveral' book

It’s always nice to get a bargain…

Satellite dish illustration from a vintage 'This is Cape Canaveral' book

 …and perhaps added just an extra tiny thrill as we thumbed through the pages!

Space available illustration from a vintage 'This is Cape Canaveral' book

We always buy the early editions and really love our little collection – Cape Canaveral makes it 11.

Pile of vintage 'This is...' books by Miroslav Sasek

A few more to go yet, though – there are 18 in the series in total!