Blown to Blazes and Other Works of J. B. Blair.

Sydney: David Blair, 2007. Paperback large quarto, as new condition, black & white text-photos & drawings, autograph (editor's written name), copy 1. Heavy (1.0 Kg), and extra postage may be requested to destinations outside Australia. 317 pp. (Unstated limited edition, about 300 copies.) An anthology of 57 short stories and essays, and five shorter pieces, by J.B. (Jim) Blair, originally published in the 1930s to 1950s, mostly in the "The Bulletin" magazine (Sydney), at which Blair was an columnist. Humour abounds amid themes that include science fiction, human nature in action, adventures of the Noyse family, whimsical ideas for making the fame or fortune of the characters, and many more. The one hundred illustrations are the original artwork by acclaimed illustrators. Includes a biography of Jim and other commentary. Included are comments relating Noyse family events to real Blair family events, a biography of Phyllis Blair, a story and an article written by her, a general introduction to the stories, explanatory comments, a description of Jim's books and a list of the works of Jim and Phyllis. Among the many themes, titles and characters are: an invention that brings back voices from the past, a new twist on cheating in horse-racing, Blown to Blazes (a forerunner to the age of artificial satellites), The Strip Stroll (Sydney's Lord Mayor is persuaded to stroll naked from Central to the Quay.), The Lost Tram, a hilarious game of cricket, and Dreamy Bentwhistle, who forgets everything. And there are a few stories on the serious side of life. The original illustrators include Unk White, John Frith, Norman Hetherington and Percy Lindsay. Collected and edited by his son David Blair.