A MOST AMUSING ANGLE
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CAN I KICK IT?
I remember playing Kick The Can when I was a schoolboy.
So when passing this nice piece of stencil work in 2016, I decided to add the can as a prop before taking a picture!
This particular example of street art has since disappeared.
So when passing this nice piece of stencil work in 2016, I decided to add the can as a prop before taking a picture!
This particular example of street art has since disappeared.
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1980'S CARICATURES
I've mentioned a couple of times already that I don't really do caricatures as part of my cartoon output these days, but rewind 3 decades and this is the kind of thing I was doing just for a bit of fun back in the 1980's.
I was trying out a crosshatch technique for these ones, most of which didn't turn out too bad.
So going clockwise starting from top left it's - Cameo, Public Enemy, The Proclaimers, Run DMC and Terry Hall (in Fun Boy 3 mode).
I was trying out a crosshatch technique for these ones, most of which didn't turn out too bad.
So going clockwise starting from top left it's - Cameo, Public Enemy, The Proclaimers, Run DMC and Terry Hall (in Fun Boy 3 mode).
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WHAT ARE WORDS WORTH?I must admit, I don't really pay much attention to lyrics of songs. My interest is the music aspect. The melody, how the composition is constructed, the sounds the instruments make, the production techniques, the rhythms, the atmosphere, etc.
I obviously catch phrases and snippets of words of a song along the way, but I don't hear much wisdom or unique observations very often, usually just cliches, immature chants, fantasising and problem pages! As a consequence of this, I don't have a party piece because I don't know any song from start to finish lyrically. Also, I listen to music from Africa, Japan, Middle East, Germany, Brazil etc, and know hundreds of these compositions off by heart...but lyrically..?? So when this single called "Wordy Rappinghood" by Tom Tom Club came out in 1981, I was rather amused by the fact that the lyrics were, ironically, questioning the value of words. The song words were published in the NME and so I ended up cutting them out and sticking them onto the record cover. Yet I still don't know the lyrics all the way through off the top of my head, so can't make this one my party piece either! |
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GG v TROMBONES
Me and trombones don't get on very well, and I think I can explain why, even if it is quite entangled.
It all started off in the 1960's when I was a schoolboy and the regular appearance of George Chisholm on TV.
Although George could play the trombone OK, he did use it often as a comedy prop.
There was also a circus clown in the 60's who used a trombone as part of his slapstick routine.
Even in the 70's the trombone cropped up in TV comedy sketches, The 2 Ronnie's for example.
So that may have imprinted the instrument in my mind as being comedic, therefor difficult to take the trombone seriously.
There is then the connection the trombone has with Northern brass bands, the Salvation Army, dixieland jazz and such like, all of which renders it old fashioned and corny to me.
Musically, to my ears, the trombone tends to sound awkward and clumsy. It seems slow reaching the notes and when it eventually does, even then they are sometimes not quite bang on.
So trombones in general make me cringe because of their lack of technical capabilities.
There are a couple of exceptions I can recall, however.
I went to see a band called Landscape in 1978 in Edinburgh. They were an experimental funky jazz outfit at the time and their trombonist had his wired up to a variety of electronic effects pedals, and he managed to get some really interesting sounds from the instrument.
I'm also quite fond of Rico, whose relaxed style seemed to counter the jagged rhythms of Ska nicely.
It's not as if I'm biased either, still giving the trombone a chance to shine, in the 80's I bought an album by Fred Wesley - but again it was another no-no, played it twice and that was it.
So there you have it - for me a trombone in the main is comical, corny, clumsy and cringy!
Which brings me to the album cover.
This Hoffnung cartoon would be a particularly torturous way for me to be executed!
If I was the guy blindfolded I think I'd prefer a rifle based firing squad!
The LP itself came out in 1970 and is an archival compilation of Gerard Hoffnung's speeches, stories and skits from the 1950's.
It all started off in the 1960's when I was a schoolboy and the regular appearance of George Chisholm on TV.
Although George could play the trombone OK, he did use it often as a comedy prop.
There was also a circus clown in the 60's who used a trombone as part of his slapstick routine.
Even in the 70's the trombone cropped up in TV comedy sketches, The 2 Ronnie's for example.
So that may have imprinted the instrument in my mind as being comedic, therefor difficult to take the trombone seriously.
There is then the connection the trombone has with Northern brass bands, the Salvation Army, dixieland jazz and such like, all of which renders it old fashioned and corny to me.
Musically, to my ears, the trombone tends to sound awkward and clumsy. It seems slow reaching the notes and when it eventually does, even then they are sometimes not quite bang on.
So trombones in general make me cringe because of their lack of technical capabilities.
There are a couple of exceptions I can recall, however.
I went to see a band called Landscape in 1978 in Edinburgh. They were an experimental funky jazz outfit at the time and their trombonist had his wired up to a variety of electronic effects pedals, and he managed to get some really interesting sounds from the instrument.
I'm also quite fond of Rico, whose relaxed style seemed to counter the jagged rhythms of Ska nicely.
It's not as if I'm biased either, still giving the trombone a chance to shine, in the 80's I bought an album by Fred Wesley - but again it was another no-no, played it twice and that was it.
So there you have it - for me a trombone in the main is comical, corny, clumsy and cringy!
Which brings me to the album cover.
This Hoffnung cartoon would be a particularly torturous way for me to be executed!
If I was the guy blindfolded I think I'd prefer a rifle based firing squad!
The LP itself came out in 1970 and is an archival compilation of Gerard Hoffnung's speeches, stories and skits from the 1950's.
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JAZZ CAT BOOKHere's a cool book.
Excellent drawings and very witty. Called "The Cat On A Hot Thin Groove", it originally came out in 2003. My copy I have on display above is the 2nd edition and was published in 2013. "The Cat" is a jazz enthusiast, and throughout the book we get to share his obsessions on the subject, usually involving vinyl recordings. It's all the work of Gene Deitch. As well as his hilarious cartoons, he also does fabulous illustrations. If you like jazz, collect vinyl records and enjoy a good laugh, then you'll love this. I actually kept hold of an original review of the book which was published in UK jazz mag, Straight No Chaser in 2003. That's what the other item is. |
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DARK SIDE OF THE LAMPOONI did this gag in 2003 when Pink Floyd's album "Dark Side Of The Moon" was celebrating it's 30th anniversary.
Private Eye held onto it for a while, but at the end of the day they never used it, so it has remained unpublished. It's probably more of an illustration than a cartoon but quite witty nonetheless. |
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DAVID FROST LP
This is an LP by David Frost released in 1966.
It's called "The Frost Report On Britain", and as you'd expect, the material takes a satirical look at British life.
Plenty of sketches and skits with the likes of John Cleese, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Terry Jones, Bill Oddie, Graham Chapman and so on, all helping out.
It's called "The Frost Report On Britain", and as you'd expect, the material takes a satirical look at British life.
Plenty of sketches and skits with the likes of John Cleese, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Terry Jones, Bill Oddie, Graham Chapman and so on, all helping out.
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SCARFE CARDSThis pack of cards came out in 1983 and were titled "Playing Politics" - (subtitled Cabinet Shuffle) - and was the work of Gerald Scarfe.
They were commissioned by the V&A. Those of you who are familiar with the political scene back in the 80's will recognise the charmers on these examples above! |
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GLOBAL RAINBOWS
I came up with this idea back in 1990.
Rainbows adapting to stereotypical notions associated with certain locations around the globe.
Holland being flat - Australia being upside down - pyramids in the dessert - and arctic igloos.
Rainbows adapting to stereotypical notions associated with certain locations around the globe.
Holland being flat - Australia being upside down - pyramids in the dessert - and arctic igloos.
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ALICE IN WINDOWLAND
When Alice was in Wonderland, she remarked - "I've often seen a cat without a grin...but a grin without a cat is the most curious thing".
When I was in Sandhurst, I remarked - "I've often seen a window without a sill...but a sill without a window is the most curious thing".
When I was in Sandhurst, I remarked - "I've often seen a window without a sill...but a sill without a window is the most curious thing".
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OLD CARTOONSTOCK LEAFLET
This is a CartoonStock leaflet that dates back to the early 2000's.
It gives the basic lowdown on the various services they provide, the type of clients who use it and the pricing.
I joined CartoonStock around this era when there seemed to only be about fifty cartoonists on board - nowadays it seems like there are thousands.!
They were based in London at this stage but they have since moved to Bath, which is not too far from where I live.
Tons of great work to be found on their website, so if you fancy a chuckle, visit www.Cartoonstock.com
It gives the basic lowdown on the various services they provide, the type of clients who use it and the pricing.
I joined CartoonStock around this era when there seemed to only be about fifty cartoonists on board - nowadays it seems like there are thousands.!
They were based in London at this stage but they have since moved to Bath, which is not too far from where I live.
Tons of great work to be found on their website, so if you fancy a chuckle, visit www.Cartoonstock.com
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Mentioning Bath in the CartoonStock item reminded me that a very well known name from that city is, Peter Gabriel.
Well, when Peter departed Genesis to go solo in the mid 1970's, a fan club started up not long after.
I wasn't really one for fan clubs, mainly because I didn't pledge allegiance to any particular act or genre as my taste in music was extremely broad!
However, this fan club called "Friends of Peter Gabriel" (who were also based in Bath) caught my attention, as it appeared to be a more intimate set up.
So I decided to give it a whirl just out of curiosity. This would be around 1977.
I only subscribed for a year, but received regular newsletters, tour dates, record release info, merchandise offers and so on.
One of the items I got, just for being a member, was this Christmas card, personally signed by Peter himself.
Although the illustration is amusingly more surreal than Christmassy, it depicts one of his song titles, namely "Here Comes The Flood".
The card arriving through my letterbox was a complete surprise as it wasn't something I sent for or was made available to purchase.
A nice touch by Peter and a pretty cool memento to have.
Well, when Peter departed Genesis to go solo in the mid 1970's, a fan club started up not long after.
I wasn't really one for fan clubs, mainly because I didn't pledge allegiance to any particular act or genre as my taste in music was extremely broad!
However, this fan club called "Friends of Peter Gabriel" (who were also based in Bath) caught my attention, as it appeared to be a more intimate set up.
So I decided to give it a whirl just out of curiosity. This would be around 1977.
I only subscribed for a year, but received regular newsletters, tour dates, record release info, merchandise offers and so on.
One of the items I got, just for being a member, was this Christmas card, personally signed by Peter himself.
Although the illustration is amusingly more surreal than Christmassy, it depicts one of his song titles, namely "Here Comes The Flood".
The card arriving through my letterbox was a complete surprise as it wasn't something I sent for or was made available to purchase.
A nice touch by Peter and a pretty cool memento to have.
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3 CHRISTMAS TREES
Here's 3 cards that have Christmas trees on, but each with an amusing twist.
The one on the left is one I did for Private Eye's Christmas card range in 2008, with CCTV keeping an eye on things, reminding everyone of modern day life.
The middle one is a postcard I received last year and has a very nice graphic of a tree using London Underground lines, with the stations adopting witty name-changes - Brussel Square, Three Kings Cross etc.
The one on the right is an Anthony O'Keeffe postcard I bought in 2006 and takes a dip into the dark side by having the tree itself devour anyone who gets too close!
The one on the left is one I did for Private Eye's Christmas card range in 2008, with CCTV keeping an eye on things, reminding everyone of modern day life.
The middle one is a postcard I received last year and has a very nice graphic of a tree using London Underground lines, with the stations adopting witty name-changes - Brussel Square, Three Kings Cross etc.
The one on the right is an Anthony O'Keeffe postcard I bought in 2006 and takes a dip into the dark side by having the tree itself devour anyone who gets too close!
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I have a few bonsai trees at home, and have been indulging in this for over 20 years now.
One of the quirks about it is - when I've shaped a bonsai into a pleasing specimen, I then imagine how it would look in the wild as a full sized tree.
Then when I'm out in the countryside and I spot a fully grown tree with an interesting shape, I then imagine that as a bonsai in a pot.
The thought works opposite ways!
The snaps above are of one of my bonsai trees (a Chinese Elm) and a wild tree struck by lightning I photographed in the late 1990's near Forthampton.
One of the quirks about it is - when I've shaped a bonsai into a pleasing specimen, I then imagine how it would look in the wild as a full sized tree.
Then when I'm out in the countryside and I spot a fully grown tree with an interesting shape, I then imagine that as a bonsai in a pot.
The thought works opposite ways!
The snaps above are of one of my bonsai trees (a Chinese Elm) and a wild tree struck by lightning I photographed in the late 1990's near Forthampton.
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POCKET BOOK BUNDLE
From miniature trees to miniature books...
Here's some pocket cartoon books I have.
These ones are all from magazine publications - Prospect, Oldie & Spectator.
I managed to get a gag on the cover of a Prospect one in 2005.
It had a chaos fractal image on it which I actually cut out from a postcard.
I have a collection of fractal postcards dating from 1992 - 1995.
Nowadays, I would have done it using computer software, but anyway, the old cut & paste method works just as well.
Another amusing thing about these cartoon books is, the magazines they are connected to, use them to try and induce people to subscribe to their mags. Obviously viewing cartoons as a major selling point.
They never use the main magazine content to do this - articles, columns, features, reviews and suchlike. Wonder why?
The cartoons are given this prime status in book format that they don't get in the magazines themselves.
Here's some pocket cartoon books I have.
These ones are all from magazine publications - Prospect, Oldie & Spectator.
I managed to get a gag on the cover of a Prospect one in 2005.
It had a chaos fractal image on it which I actually cut out from a postcard.
I have a collection of fractal postcards dating from 1992 - 1995.
Nowadays, I would have done it using computer software, but anyway, the old cut & paste method works just as well.
Another amusing thing about these cartoon books is, the magazines they are connected to, use them to try and induce people to subscribe to their mags. Obviously viewing cartoons as a major selling point.
They never use the main magazine content to do this - articles, columns, features, reviews and suchlike. Wonder why?
The cartoons are given this prime status in book format that they don't get in the magazines themselves.
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SMART IN TARTAN
I view most tartan clothing as being rather cool, especially when set in the modern fashion world, as opposed to the more traditional gear that often just looks corny and outdated.
This is one reason why I reckon Japanese people suit tartan more than Scots nowadays.
The other reason is, they have better physiques, but I won't go into that.
I've worn a variety of tartan gear fairly regularly since the 70's. This is a photo of me from 2 years ago, wearing a tartan jacket I got in Germany.
The other photo, is from the wonderful Japanese street-fashion magazine, Fruits.
Hows about that for a tartan outfit!
On first glance, it looks as if it's way too big obviously, but that's how it was intentionally designed.
The shoulders and torso are a perfect fit, it's just that the rest of the coat has been amusingly exaggerated - sleeves, collar, pockets & length.
And as if that wasn't enough, there's tartan trousers, tartan bag and tartan shoes to go with it!
Clothes designed by Paradox, shoes by Yoji Yamada.
This is one reason why I reckon Japanese people suit tartan more than Scots nowadays.
The other reason is, they have better physiques, but I won't go into that.
I've worn a variety of tartan gear fairly regularly since the 70's. This is a photo of me from 2 years ago, wearing a tartan jacket I got in Germany.
The other photo, is from the wonderful Japanese street-fashion magazine, Fruits.
Hows about that for a tartan outfit!
On first glance, it looks as if it's way too big obviously, but that's how it was intentionally designed.
The shoulders and torso are a perfect fit, it's just that the rest of the coat has been amusingly exaggerated - sleeves, collar, pockets & length.
And as if that wasn't enough, there's tartan trousers, tartan bag and tartan shoes to go with it!
Clothes designed by Paradox, shoes by Yoji Yamada.
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A PACKET OF GLOVESOn the subject of Japanese fashion, I bought these gloves a couple of years ago from Los Angeles.
They are described as Nippon Working Gloves and were made in Japan. They did actually receive a design award too. One of the things that amused me was how they were packaged - a bit like a packet of cold meat in a supermarket! I liked the packaging so much that I didn't want to open and ruin it, so I just kept the gloves in the packet for months. One day I plucked up courage and with a scalpel, I slit the length of the seam in such a way that it wasn't visible. Now I do wear the gloves and can slip them in & out of the packet without any wear and tear to the packet being done. |
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DO YOU DO VOODOO?
This is a real Voodoo Doll I have.
It's from the Ewe tribe in Togo.
I've no interest whatsoever in the concept of voodoo and other such nonsense, but I do like African tribal art a lot.
The Ewe tribe do use such dolls in ceremonies and this one I have is covered in dirt so it may very well have been used a few times too.
I have it standing on a shelf beside some ethnic-styled bracelets, so I put one around it's neck to look like a large beaded necklace!
So far, no nasty fashion accessory hex has happened to me up to now!
It's from the Ewe tribe in Togo.
I've no interest whatsoever in the concept of voodoo and other such nonsense, but I do like African tribal art a lot.
The Ewe tribe do use such dolls in ceremonies and this one I have is covered in dirt so it may very well have been used a few times too.
I have it standing on a shelf beside some ethnic-styled bracelets, so I put one around it's neck to look like a large beaded necklace!
So far, no nasty fashion accessory hex has happened to me up to now!
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HAY YOU!
Well we may not use voodoo dolls for ceremonies in England but there are still some places in the countryside that use characters as part of local events.
I've seen a few of these haystack figures on my trips around the Cotswolds - sometimes they signify a wedding, or a village dance or like the one I photographed in 1996, advertising a fete in Apperley.
They are usually well made and most often, amusing.
I've seen a few of these haystack figures on my trips around the Cotswolds - sometimes they signify a wedding, or a village dance or like the one I photographed in 1996, advertising a fete in Apperley.
They are usually well made and most often, amusing.
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LOGO LUNACY
BHS = Bird Hating Store
I took this photo a few years ago.
This British Home Stores premises was located in a tree-lined pedestrian zone in the Cotswolds, but as you can see, BHS didn't quite get the gist of the pleasant surroundings!
The store has since closed down.
Good riddance!
I took this photo a few years ago.
This British Home Stores premises was located in a tree-lined pedestrian zone in the Cotswolds, but as you can see, BHS didn't quite get the gist of the pleasant surroundings!
The store has since closed down.
Good riddance!
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JOIN THE Q
I've already mentioned that I don't pay much attention to song lyrics really, and explained why.
Sometimes though, there are very rare exceptions that occasionally spring up.
One such example is this single I've had in my collection for 4 decades now.
The record is by The Associates, called "Q Quarters" and was released way back in 1981.
Gradually, however, over the past couple of years, the lyrics seem to have taken on a rather prophetic dimension.
For around 2 years, I've been keeping up to date on a daily basis with the internet phenomenon - Q Anon. All the amazing Intel drops and advance info about the ongoing battle against the Deep State.
Keeping that in mind then, here's the 3 main verses...
Come to Q quarters
We're watching heads of state from here
Sticking their Fabers
Deep into the empire's ear
Moulding the conscience
Severe in every secret sworn
Now take the cuckoo and revel in your image born
Push through the high ranks
Bulldoze sacred heritage
Instinct finds shelter
Cowering in the foliage
Detour reservoirs
Flood a city pretty please
Lost in petroleum
Fueled to fill the empty seas
Obsolete children
Their populations died en masse
Concrete civilians
Statues to the house of rest
Washing down bodies
Seems to me a dead-end chore
Floors me completely
Beauty drips from every pore
From every pore
So a possible (fabricated) interpretation of the opening lines... "Come to Q quarters - we're watching heads of state from here"...is like an invitation to follow Q while reminding us they know what's going on behind the scenes.
Then some similarities to present-day news stories are mentioned in the rest of the song, things such as - corrupt politicians/rogue royalty, brain washing/fake media/psy-ops, secret societies, cancel culture, dam bursts, oil wars, human trafficking, lockdown/virus deaths etc
Although it's a serious topic, it's quite amusing to view the coincidence of the lyrics to many of the current affairs we've had during the time of Q Anon.
Unless The Associates were indeed, great visionaries of the future?
They also have playing cards on the record label graphics.
Trump card perhaps...?!!
Sometimes though, there are very rare exceptions that occasionally spring up.
One such example is this single I've had in my collection for 4 decades now.
The record is by The Associates, called "Q Quarters" and was released way back in 1981.
Gradually, however, over the past couple of years, the lyrics seem to have taken on a rather prophetic dimension.
For around 2 years, I've been keeping up to date on a daily basis with the internet phenomenon - Q Anon. All the amazing Intel drops and advance info about the ongoing battle against the Deep State.
Keeping that in mind then, here's the 3 main verses...
Come to Q quarters
We're watching heads of state from here
Sticking their Fabers
Deep into the empire's ear
Moulding the conscience
Severe in every secret sworn
Now take the cuckoo and revel in your image born
Push through the high ranks
Bulldoze sacred heritage
Instinct finds shelter
Cowering in the foliage
Detour reservoirs
Flood a city pretty please
Lost in petroleum
Fueled to fill the empty seas
Obsolete children
Their populations died en masse
Concrete civilians
Statues to the house of rest
Washing down bodies
Seems to me a dead-end chore
Floors me completely
Beauty drips from every pore
From every pore
So a possible (fabricated) interpretation of the opening lines... "Come to Q quarters - we're watching heads of state from here"...is like an invitation to follow Q while reminding us they know what's going on behind the scenes.
Then some similarities to present-day news stories are mentioned in the rest of the song, things such as - corrupt politicians/rogue royalty, brain washing/fake media/psy-ops, secret societies, cancel culture, dam bursts, oil wars, human trafficking, lockdown/virus deaths etc
Although it's a serious topic, it's quite amusing to view the coincidence of the lyrics to many of the current affairs we've had during the time of Q Anon.
Unless The Associates were indeed, great visionaries of the future?
They also have playing cards on the record label graphics.
Trump card perhaps...?!!
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Q PLAY
Another good v bad battle using letter Q was published in a UK comic back in 1966.
The series was called "The Q-Bikes".
Each week the cycling champions of justice would get up to all sorts of adventures which always resulted in them either rescuing people in distress or catching villains!
They also looked pretty cool, dressed way ahead of their time, wearing helmets with built-in headsets!
In 1969, however, they ditched their bikes and became The Q-Karts.
Although unrelated, The Q-Bikes and The Associates (Q Quarters) were both conceived in Dundee, Scotland!
The series was called "The Q-Bikes".
Each week the cycling champions of justice would get up to all sorts of adventures which always resulted in them either rescuing people in distress or catching villains!
They also looked pretty cool, dressed way ahead of their time, wearing helmets with built-in headsets!
In 1969, however, they ditched their bikes and became The Q-Karts.
Although unrelated, The Q-Bikes and The Associates (Q Quarters) were both conceived in Dundee, Scotland!
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I have a few vintage Dundee University Charity magazines, the contents of which are all humour based.
It has to be said though, most of the cartoons that crop up in them have been "borrowed" from Punch and Private Eye mags.
This anonymous cartoonist's canoe contribution here though, did make me chuckle!
It's from summer 1981.
It has to be said though, most of the cartoons that crop up in them have been "borrowed" from Punch and Private Eye mags.
This anonymous cartoonist's canoe contribution here though, did make me chuckle!
It's from summer 1981.
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BEGUILING BOOKThe previous canoe cartoon was a bit of an impossible object which triggered optical amusement, and there are plenty other such witty visuals in this splendid book called "The Eye Beguiled".
Not only does it display lots optical illusions in art, advertising and design, it also explains the science behind some of them. Eye-catching indeed! |
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POST MODERN
Not so much an optical illusion, more of a visual double-take with this witty idea of substituting a letterbox flap with a cassette player flap door.
This was a full page ad for a tape manufacturer back in 1981.
Drawn by George Hardie of Hipgnosis fame.
There is even an extra bit of amusement with the play on words caption "Recorded Delivery", which is more like a gag punchline!
This was a full page ad for a tape manufacturer back in 1981.
Drawn by George Hardie of Hipgnosis fame.
There is even an extra bit of amusement with the play on words caption "Recorded Delivery", which is more like a gag punchline!
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ON A ROLL
Another double-take kind of image with toilet rolls forming a smiley face - complete with bonus Toilet Humour wordplay!
The photo was taken in London in 2012.
The photo was taken in London in 2012.
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CUTTING EDGE
If you look carefully, it says OUCH!
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