English
DonateMembershipTickets

Illustration for "Hanky Panky," Topsy-Turvy Tales

Author Related author Elsie Smeaton Munro British
ca. 1923
Not on view
This is one of a series of humorous, often gently satirical drawings that William Heath Robinson made to illustrate "Topsy-Turvy Tales"–one of the gift books in which John Lane at the Bodley Head specialized. The author Elsie Smeaton Munro came to the publisher in 1922 with twelve children's stories and Heath's association produced delightfully whimsical results. The Museum has twelve drawings related to the project, nine black and white images and three watercolors.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Illustration for "Hanky Panky," Topsy-Turvy Tales
  • Artist: William Heath Robinson (British, London 1872–1944 Highgate, London)
  • Author: Related author Elsie Smeaton Munro (British, 1882–1961 Glasgow)
  • Date: ca. 1923
  • Medium: Watercolor and gouache (bodycolor)
  • Dimensions: Image: 14 3/4 × 9 3/4 in. (37.5 × 24.8 cm)
    Sheet: 17 3/8 x 12 3/4 in. (44.1 x 32.4 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1967
  • Object Number: 67.805.3
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
"Over Farms and Fields and Rivers and Ponds" (for "Cosy Hokie" in "Topsy-Turvy Tales"), William Heath Robinson  British, Pen and black ink, brush and wash
William Heath Robinson
Author Related author Elsie Smeaton Munro
Publisher Related publisher John Lane, The Bodley Head
ca. 1923
Stroh Violin, George Evans & Co.  English, Mahogany and aluminum, British
George Evans & Co.
first quarter 20th century
Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island, Northumberland, Thomas Girtin  British, Watercolor and bodycolor (gouache)
Thomas Girtin
1796–97
"He looked a fine figure of a frog" (for "Peeriwinki the Puddock" in "Topsy-Turvy Tales"), William Heath Robinson  British, Watercolor and gouache (bodycolor)
William Heath Robinson
Author Related author Elsie Smeaton Munro
Publisher John Lane, The Bodley Head
ca. 1923
Sopranino Bugle in C, brass, British
British
19th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.