'Blinky Bill Joins the Army' by Dorothy Wall 1943

1943
Overview

Book entitled 'Blinky Bill Joins the Army' by Dorothy Wall, published by Angus & Robertson Limited in 1943.
The book has card covers with a colourful dustjacket featuring a central illustration of Blinky Bill wearing an Australian Army uniform and tin helmet. He is standing in front of a white cloud in a blue sky and is holding an Australian blue ensign flag.
In the background are a column of red ants marching from left to right while holding thin sticks over their shoulders in the style of rifles.
The surrounds of the central circular image are bright red and the spine is blue.
The pages of the book are made from thick card like paper which has age toning around the edges.
There is a single colour plate reproducing the cover image adjacent to the title page. Otherwise, the illustrations are all black line drawings.
The book appears to be made from relatively cheap materials. The paper on the spine is in poor condition and pages show marks and discoloration.
There is a small white sticker featuring a toy soldier banging a drum on the left and a dedication to the former owner, Peter, on his second birthday on 1 March 1945.

Historical information

Blinky Bill was a character created by author and illustrator Dorothy Wall. He was a koala who resembled a small mischievous boy, but who nevertheless was true in appearance to the real animal.
Several books were written about Blinky Bill, with one of the main messages being about environmental responsibility. The title 'Blinky Bill Joins the Army' was written in 1940 and published by Angus & Robertson in 1943.
The cover art for the book which features Blinky Bill holding an Australian flag, dressed in uniform and tin hat, was reproduced on a 1944 calendar also held in the collection.

A biography of Dorothy Wall is attached as a supplementary file.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-119-RoW00643
Width
187 mm
Height or length
237 mm
Depth
18 mm
Inscriptions and markings

On cover of book:

"BLINKY BILL
JOINS THE ARMY

STORY and ILLUSTRATIONS
by DOROTHY WALL"

On sticker:

"1.3.45
To ear Peter
with all good wishes
for your second
birthday
From Barbara
Shirley & Enid
With Love"

Place made
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Year
Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Last modified
Monday, 11 August, 2025
Completeness
100
Related Objects

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Sibling records
Recollections of War

Recollections of War

Organisation details
View collection

'Blinky Bill joins the Army' by Dorothy Wall - cover
'Blinky Bill joins the Army' by Dorothy Wall - cover
'Blinky Bill joins the Army' by Dorothy Wall - inside cover
'Blinky Bill joins the Army' by Dorothy Wall - inside cover
'Blinky Bill joins the Army' by Dorothy Wall - colour plate
'Blinky Bill joins the Army' by Dorothy Wall - colour plate
'Blinky Bill joins the Army' by Dorothy Wall - title page
'Blinky Bill joins the Army' by Dorothy Wall - title page

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