A recent visit from our grandsons brought startling explosions, destruction, fire and noisy deaths into our normally peaceful domestic setting. Yet their video game(s) went on merrily enough – somehow no one seemed any the worse for it. This little picture card is certainly a dramatic image, with its striking colours and powerful composition, complete with the hero's portrait in the bottom corner. It's one of many that Liebig – a forerunner of Oxo, extracting meat essence – included free with their product, from 1875 to 1940. Les Gloires de l’Aviation Militaire Belge Willy grins, safe in his bubble while all around the clouds explode as if all this were nothing at all to do with him. Improbably a grey balloon deflates in flames – Bien Meilleurs! The sky is full of drama. Thirty-five of them I read – that’s quite a bag – no wonder he is smiling! His biplane banks, the pram wheels spin – he’s off to find another. Reproduction interdite – you must not...