In 1913, economist and ornithology enthusiast Vincent Cartwright Vickers funded the publication of a collection of illustrations depicting fantastical birds from 'Google Land'. On a publisher's advice, he wrote poems for each of the illustrations and had 100 copies of 'The Google Book' printed, which went to family and friends. Mr Vickers continued his day job as a Director of the Bank of England...

1931 and 1979 saw the publication of trade editions of The Google Book, through the Medici Society and Oxford University Press. Oddly, each edition contained fewer illustrations than its predecessor: by the 1979 reprint, 11 of the originals were missing.

Forty years after its last release, we are pleased to announce that The Google Book is available once more, restored by palaeo-artist Gareth Monger and writer/musician Andrew Brain, with its original line-up of Google birds in their correct running order. In addition, the 2019 edition includes six unpublished illustrations, and a further three illustrations—complete with their verses—from a 1926 interview with VCV. Biographical notes add a fascinating insight into the author's life and a foreword by the author's grandson James Campbell provides a touching perspective.

The Google Book is available from October 2019, released by Ecen Books - and available through the Keshcology Bandcamp page amongst selected outlets.