Mr Rouse Builds His House (Hardcover)

Stefan Themerson

ISBN 10: 184976154X / ISBN 13: 9781849761543

Published by Tate Publishing, London, 2013

About this Item

Hardcover. Mr Rouse has decided to build himself a house. Inevitably, the process is much longer and more detailed than Mr Rouse initially envisages: "Mr Builder, I'm not a bird, you know; how could I live in a house made of leaves?" This quirky tale takes the reader through a timeline of inventions. In a wonderful blend of absurd poetry and British pragmatism, Mr Rouse contends with housing, transport, lighting, plumbing and timekeeping, encountering quarrelling stairs and dapper guttering on his way. With beautiful illustrations, this delightful story is full of nostalgia and humour. Originally published in 1950 by Polish avant-garde artists Stefan and Franciszka Themerson this is a charming replica miniature chapter book. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781849761543

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Mr Rouse Builds His House (Hardcover)
• Publisher: Tate Publishing, London
• Publication Date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 184976154X
• ISBN 13: 9781849761543
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Themerson, Franciszka
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

This tiny book, originally published in 1950, tells the story of Mr. Rouse, who has decided to build himself a house. Inevitably, the process is much longer and more detailed than Mr. Rouse initially envisions: “Mr. Builder, I’m not a bird, you know; how could I live in a house made of leaves?”
This quirky tale from 1950 takes readers through the process of choosing building types and making all kinds of decisions. In a wonderful blend of absurd poetry and pragmatism, Mr. Rouse contends with building materials, transportation, lighting, and plumbing, encountering quarreling stairs and dapper gutters on his way.

About the Author

Stefan and Franciszka Themerson were Polish avant-garde artists and filmmakers who in the 1940s fled to London, where they worked on a huge range of creative projects. In 1948, they founded the influential Gaberbocchus Press, publishers of Kurt Schwitters, Jankel Adler, and Alfred Jarry, among others. Barbara Wright was a translator and art writer who worked closely with the Themersons and also translated key works of 20th-century French literature into English, including Alfred Jarry’s Ubu Roi.