Ridiculous Collection (#5)

Christmas Preparations - In Heath Robinsonland
No. 2 - Training a young wait. Blasting a trumpet player with wind and rain so he is prepared for all weathers once he goes Christmas carolling. Date: 1909

Extravagances of 1834. By Cesar Bacle (1794-1838). Lithograp
Costumes and Customs. Extravagances of 1834. By Cesar Hipolito Bacle (1794-1838). Isaac Fernandez Blanco Latin American Art Museum. Buenos Aires. Argentina

Caricature of Dion Boucicault and three other actors
Caricature of Dion Boucicault (?1820-1890), Irish actor and playwright -- Address to the Players. Indicating a poster behind him

Stupendous Chignon
CHIGNONS: A fashion conscious woman, no doubt employing a prodigious amount of false hair, sports a large chignon. Her horse likewise is completely chignoned! Date: 1866

Thomas Cooke, the miser of Islington, and his wife who he married for her wealth : together they lived a life of ridiculous parsimony, suspicious of everyone Date: 1726 - 1811

A Loving God ?
A loving God ? The idea is ridiculous ! Date: 1904

Man pulling pram and children uphill, c. 1820
A rotund gentleman struggles to pull his two children in a pram uphill as his over-dressed wife follows on behind. The children look like they are rather enjoying this experience

The New Mortar for Bridging Chasms, Heath Robinson WW1
America in the Field - The new mortar for bridging chasms. A line of American soldiers traverse a chasm chained on wheeled chairs to a shell sent flying into the air

War-Time Economies Saving Breath, WW1 Heath Robinson
War-Time Economies from Heath Robinson - to Save Your Breath. The Penny-in-the-Slot machine for blowing out candles. Wartime savings taken to ridiculous lengths by William Heath Robinson who suggests

Group of men holding snow near Doveholes, Derbyshire in January 1908. A delightful picture showing that Edwardians had a much greater sense of the ridiculous than is traditionally believed. Date: 1908

Fashions of 1773
A satire on dandyish fashions of 1773. A Macaroni gentleman wearing a ridiculously long wig in which the hair is tied in a bundle down his back

May Day - Clown Entertains Russian Crowd
As part of the 1921 May-Day celebrations in St. Petersburg a deranged looking, pig-riding clown entertains the pleasantly bemused crowds. Date: 1st May 1921

A scarecrow, 1793
A scarecrow of 1793 - a woman wearing a fashionable, but ridiculed, high-waisted gown (with watch fob) which makes it appear that her legs begin under her bosom

The Gentle Art of Excavating - Latest Type of Grab Crane
The latest type of grab crane clearing out a small pond on Hampstead Heath. A typically rickety and convoluted crane goes through the ridiculous process of clearing out a tiny pond on Hampstead

Moliere as Harpagon, frontispiece illustration from The Miser by Moliere
XIR279777 Moliere as Harpagon, frontispiece illustration from The Miser by Moliere, engraved by Jean Sauve (fl.1660-91) edition 1682 (engraving) (b/w photo) by Brissart

Yatsushi kokei sanshAc, Transformation of three ridiculous laughs. Kubo, Shunman, 1757-1820, artist, [between 1789 and 1791], 1 print : woodcut, color; 14.1 x 20.7 cm

Irony - fat Londoner begs for money for his starving family
A rather fat Londoner begs for " a copper" for his " starving wife and family at ome" fom a smart gent (Phil May himself - clearly seeing the ludicrous side of the request!)

Pulling a ridiculous expression
A German man pulls a ridiculous, daft, absurd and frankly rather manic facial expression! Date: circa 1910s

A wagon laden with remarkable giant cabbages
Giant Cabbages - freshly picked..... Possibly a bit of creative photography, although you never know....! Date: 1910

Transformation of three ridiculous laughs. Print shows a priest addressing a nobleman and a lady in waiting on a roadway, next to a tree, with the sun setting in the background

Our Local Express (2 / 2)
A satirical look at an express train service (2/2 - see 10425389). 1907

Our Local Express (1 / 2)
A satirical look at an express train service (1/2 10429191). 1907

January Sales
Rows and rows of suits for sale at ridiculous prices during the annual January Sales in central London! Date: 1980

English Woman of 1710
Hooped skirts are all very well, but this is ridiculous ! But its what fashion dictates... for the moment Date: circa 1710

Arrows against Storms
The Gauls fire arrows into stormclouds to drive them away - an idea which is not quite so ridiculous as it sounds. Date: 1st century

Little Games for the Holidays - Pitching Poached Egg for Ter
Another ridiculous and rather messy game from the imagination of William Heath Robinson showing territorial army officers throwing poached eggs at a slice of toast skewered by a toasting fork

Canada - Ontario - Hunting trip
Ontario - Highlands - Canadian man and his dogs heads off derrhunting on one of the more improbably rafts one could imagine

Bluffing the Periscope
Taking cover from U-boats. Hints for bathers unnecessarily nervous about submarines off shore. Another ridiculous idea from Heath Robinson

Improving Voice Timbre
Improving the timbre of the human voice with an amplifier

Chinese farmers haul a huge wide load of wood using a tiny tractor in Heilongjiang province, Northern
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Canute Orders Waves
Canute tries to order back the waves to demonstrate how ridiculous the flattery of his courtiers has become

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"Embracing the Ridiculous: A Whimsical Journey through Art and Life" Step into a world where imagination knows no bounds, as we explore the whimsical and absurd. From William Heath Robinson's Pea Apparatus to his Some Difficult Camping Grounds, prepare to be delighted by his ingenious contraptions that defy all logic. In Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen takes us on a tenderly flirtatious journey, reminding us of the folly and charm of love. As we delve into her illustration, we are transported to a time where courtship was an art form in itself. The Lost Ball by Heath Robinson brings laughter with its comically intricate solutions to such a simple problem. His cartoons never fail to amuse and leave us wondering how he managed to create such elaborate scenarios for the simplest tasks. Troupes anglaises: le bagage de campagne captures the essence of 1815 fashionistas with their extravagant attire. Hand-colored etchings bring these characters alive, showcasing their outlandish style choices that were both admired and ridiculed. London becomes a stage for overseas students demonstrating over fees. This powerful image reminds us of the importance of standing up for what we believe in, even if it means going against societal norms. Fashionables of 1817 take center stage once again with their flamboyant outfits that pushed boundaries and challenged conventions. These hand-colored etchings serve as snapshots into an era where individuality reigned supreme. Hop Scotch Maggie from Bonnie Scotland invites us to join her playful game while Science Jottings by Dr. W. Heath Robinson II takes us on an intellectual adventure filled with curious observations about our world. Martin Luther (1483-1546) and his wife Katharina von Bora remind us that even historical figures had moments of lightheartedness amidst their serious endeavors. Their portrait showcases a glimpse into their personal lives, revealing a side often overlooked.