Sunday, August 12, 2007

Miroslav Sasek's Map of the World





If Holly Golightly and Paul Varjak had children, they would probably read them these super cool European books, written and illustrated by Miroslav Sasek.

Produced between 1959 and 1974, the books read like a travel guide for children, highlighting the world's most famous places. There were originally eighteen books in the "This Is" series, ten of which have been reissued over the past few years. For a complete list of works and more of these fabulous illustrations visit M. Slavek's official website.

Update: Set for release in January 2008 and available for pre-order is: This is Britain

9 comments:

a. said...

I discovered these books about 5 or 6 years ago and think they are great!

Brilliant Asylum said...

I have been seeing them around and finally bought a couple as gifts. I liked them so much I have decided to collect them myself. I belive "Israel" and "Britain" are the next to arrive in January 2008.

The Peak of Chic said...

I love these books! I bought the New York one about 4 years ago and I always enjoy flipping through it. The illustrations are fantastic!

72 and sunny said...

i have the san francisco book! i bought it years ago. it's awesome.

Lyn said...

what fabulous illustrations. looks like now i'll have to start another collection.

diana murphy said...

Okay. Your blog is aptly named. Clearly, YOU are brilliant. And I'm intrigued by the asylum part, given the double meaning of the word.

Your admiration for Sasek's work is just the endorsement I need to come back to your blog for regular visits. His work transports me to another time and place in my life - I have vintage copies of San Francisco (where I was born), New York (where I live) and Paris (the only other place I'd want to live if opportunity ever presented itself). We had these copies when I was a kid (I'm dating myself here. Whatever.) Thanks for this great post (and all the others)! Will return soon...

Brilliant Asylum said...

Thank you Dianamuse! You are totally right about the word Asylum--and either meaning can apply on a given day.

That is really cool that you have the original Saseks. Apparently the Rizzoli versions are faithful, but not totally exact replicas. I may have to hunt down some vintage copies of my own.

Joanna Goddard said...

love. you could frame the pages!

Anonymous said...

I always wonder why dragons are so popular in the holidays in China?

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