The Miniature World of Henry Greenly

You might think “The Miniature World of Henry Greenly” by E. A. Steel and E. H. Steel (Model and Allied Publications Ltd., Station Road, King’s Langley, Herts., 251 pp., 8-3/4 in. x 5-1/2 in., £3.50) unsuited for review in Motor Sport. In fact, quite apart from the large number of readers interested in both railways and cars, there is significant motoring material in this outline of the career of the well-known miniature railways and 15-in, gauge locomotive personality. Apart from much information about the model railway activities of racing motorists J. E. P. Howey and Count Zborowski, there are tantalising pictures of the early cars used by Bassett-Lowke and Stuart Turner, model engineers, tantalising because of the identification problems they set (forward Dennis Field!), and then there is the Lifu steamer (illustrated) driven by Greenly. It is described as a “sporting wagonette”, of around 1901. Aviation followers are catered for, by accounts of Greenly’s aeronautical ventures, and I was amused to learn that he ran a model magazine at Farnborough while in government employ during WW1, because I did the same thing with Motor Sport, in the same place, during WW2. The pictures of model locomotives and maps, etc., of early miniature railways will endear this unusual book, even to motoring enthusiasts! Incidentally, in 1909 a 14-h.p. two-cylinder NAG car engine was used in the 15-in.-gauge loco Blacolversley, which outwardly had the appearance of a 4-4-4 tank steam locomotive.—W.B.
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“The Meccano Magazine”, founded in 1916, has, after a varied career, returned to its rightful publishers, Meccano Ltd. in Liverpool, and now appears four times a year (next issue this month), price 20p.

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“Profile No. 9” covers, in enthralling detail, with an abundance of racing pictures and the usual colour plates, the 4-1/2-litre Bentley, with text by the late Darell Berthon and Sir Anthony Stamer, Bt. Profile Publications have also issued the first six of the new series, covering Ferrari, Lago-Talbot, Repco-Brabham, Chaparral, Porsche 917 and P3 Alfa Romeo, in book form, price £4.00.

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Sil Sports Books have a 288-page “Grand Prix Guide, ’73” with good colour pictures and maps, etc., and The Butterworth Group, 88, Kingsway, London, WC2B 6AB, have third editions of their questions and answers on “Automobile Engines” and “Automobile Electrical Systems”, priced at 75p each.

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Exceptional motor-racing colour photography is the subject of a book which surely holds the record among motoring publications for bulk and weight. It is Jesse Alexander’s “At Speed”. It measures—wait for it!— 14-1/4 in. x 16-1/2 in. and, if you are sufficiently strong to be able to lift it. (it weighs 7-3/4 lb.), offers you some great colour shots, action and static, of all aspects of motor racing, the “stills” better than most of the action. It is a Bond/Parkhurst publication, costing 59.50 dollars, and puts Jesse in the Snowdon class of cameramen.—W.B.