Latest Gallery

Bonzos Latest: This Weeks Studdy

Famous dog, just after he had finally been christened with the name Bonzo'. He appears with a swollen eye after fighting with a wasp. George Ernest Studdy (1878-1948), was the creator of Bonzo, a small dog with saucer-like eyes and indiscriminate breeding who first appeared in the Sketch in 1922. The Bonzo craze swept the world resulting in postcards, annuals, toys and other merchandise. Studdy also produced a large body of work for the Sketch before and after Bonzo including his later creation, Ooloo the cat. His early cartoon dogs were simply known as the Studdy Dog until readers demanded a name and Bruce Ingram, the ILN editor, suggested his immortal moniker. Credit should read: Estate of George Studdy/Gresham Marketing Ltd./ILN/Mary Evan"

© Estate of George Studdy/Gresham Marketing Ltd./ILN/Mary Evans

The Latest Spelling Test by William Heath Robinson

A desperate effort to instil good luck into a five-franc plaque before returning to the Casino. Illustration by William Heath Robinson (1872-1944). Robinson was a regular contributor to the Sketch, the Bystander and other ILN titles during his lifetime. His weekly drawings featuring mind-boggling contraptions and designs were immensely popular. This particular illustration gently pokes fun at superstitious gamblers at Monte Carlo, a popular resort for the privileged classes during the inter-war years. Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/ILN/Mary Evan"

© Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/ILN/Mary Evans Picture Library

Sempill British Aviation Mission to Japan, four planes

Advance Training Machines. William Francis Forbes-Sempill, 19th Lord Sempill AFC, AFRAeS (1893-1965) was a Scottish peer and record-breaking air pioneer who was later shown to have passed secret information to the Imperial Japanese military before the Second World War. In 1921, Sempill led an official military mission to Japan that showcased the latest British aircraft. In subsequent years he continued to aid the Imperial Japanese Navy in developing its Navy Air Service and began giving military secrets to the Japanese. Although his activities were uncovered by British Intelligence, Sempill was not prosecuted for spying and allowed to continue in public life. Seen here are a Gloster Sparrowhawk (centre foreground), a Blackburn Swift Mk.II (centre background), a Vickers Type 48 Viking IV (right) and a Supermarine Seagull Mk.II (left).
circa 1921

© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library)/Mary Evans Picture Library