Odhams Encyclopaedia for Children – J.A. Lauwerys, R.W. Moore, Brian Vesey-Fitzgerald, et al.

Title: Odhams Encyclopaedia for Children
Author: J.A. Lauwerys, R.W. Moore, Brian Vesey-Fitzgerald, et al.
Illustrator: Lilian Buchanan, Geoffrey Whittam, et al.
Year: 1957 (First Edition)
Binding: Hardback
Publisher: Carnival
Remarks: c.1957; gift inscription
Book Condition: Good/Very Good
Jacket Condition: No Jacket

Description: A very scarce and beautiful encyclopædia which covers all aspects of the natural and industrial world and, more importantly, opens a fascinating window into how the world looked like in the late 1950s. It is split into the following sections:

Our World and Its Peoples
Our Mind and Bodies
Man the Discoverer
Power and Energy
Our Story Through the Ages
How We Live Today
Getting What We Need
How We Enjoy Ourselves

Of course, an encyclopædia of this vintage bulldozes straight through the floodgates of political correctness: Muslims and black people are referred to as Mohammedans and negroes, respectively, whilst the "peoples of eastern Asia" are classed as belonging to the "yellow race" and having "an unusual fold of the eyelid which makes them appear slant-eyed".

Illustrated throughout with stunning b&w, two-tone monochrome, and full-colour drawings. Endpapers and pastedowns depict children of various ethnicities wearing traditional attire – though Irish readers are likely to be offended by the ragamuffin with a crazed look who is supposed to represent the children of their country!!

Blind-stamped burgundy morocco boards with gilt text on spine. Corners lightly bumped. Dedication in blue ink on title page. One or two pages have some negligible grubby marks from handling and a jot or two of foxing, but are in otherwise excellent condition.

Measures 30 cm × 22.5 cm (12″ × 9″). Large 4to. 384 pp.

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