Odhams Transport Books: 1942-1950

Throughout the Nineteen Forties, Odhams Press of 64, Long Acre, London, produced a remarkable series of twenty-four public information books from 1942 to 1950. These books were presented in a uniform 6"x 9" size portrait format, complete with beautiful art pictorial dust jackets. The hardback boards were available in red, blue, and some in a light brown, all featuring ornate lettering.

Initially designed with the clear purpose of maintaining public morale during the Second World War, the first five titles explicitly highlighted the efficiency and advanced technology of Britain's Fighting Forces, especially in comparison to the enemy. Post-war, this focus became a subject of much conjecture!

Following the war, Odhams' titles aimed to inform the British public about the workings of the nation's services and the types of post-war jobs available, gradually evolving into discussions around industrial and transport history.

The emphasis shifted towards how things were made and how they functioned, showcasing the new transport technologies in road, rail, air, and shipping that were emerging. The excellent quality of information was enhanced by the superb diagrams and cutaways by Leslie Ashwell Wood, who later gained fame through Eagle comic among others.

This series provides a comprehensive technological overview of the world, primarily within the British Empire and Commonwealth, as it existed during the war and in the immediate post-war years. I would highly recommend this collection to anyone interested in transport history or military history.

The gallery below features an array of front dust jacket cover images, presented in chronological order of the publication dates for each volume in this exceptional series. Arrow right to see the next volume published.