Monday, January 23, 2012

Dorothy Lathrop ~ A Little Boy Lost ~ 1920


Frontispiece





Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Frontispiece ~ The Old Man of the Sea

He in turn, leaning over the rock stared back into Martin's face
with his immense fishy eyes.







Twelve full page color and black and white plates, and eighteen chapter headings tell the transformation of Martin, a little boy lost, as illustrated by Dorothy Lathrop, from a vulnerable little boy to a child at home in the wild, and one with the sea.

As you scroll through the images, you will experience Martin's encounters with various individuals, creatures and beings. I am impressed by Lathrop's skill and versatility, her chapter headings and illustrations ranging from bold graphic design to delicate color washes and bright paintings, always expressing Martin's curious and open personality.

Dorothy Lathrop (1891-1980), a renowned illustrator, co-winner of the Newbery Medal in 1930, and the first winner of the Randolph Caldecott Medal in 1938, was the daughter of an artist and the sister of a sculptor. Her maiden name was Pulis, and she often signed her work and was credited as Dorothy P. Lathrop.

She graduated from Columbia University where she first studied to be a teacher but also studied drawing. She furthered her studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the Arts Students League in New York, and began to illustrate in 1918. She was a member of the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors. She is widely quoted as saying: "Talk of art and artists was part of my daily life from early childhood."

The most interesting illustrations for A Little Boy Lost begin with Chapter IV, and continue through Chapter XVIII, as Martin moves further away from the "real" world into the world of fantasy and the imagination.

My personal favorites, including The Wonder of the Hills, and The Old Man of the Sea, begin with Chapter XIII, once Martin has gained his "leopard spots." I also enjoy The People of the Mirage, Alone in the Great Forest, A Troop of Wild Horses, The Lady of the Hills, and The People of the Mist. (Okay, beginning with Chapter IV, just about everything is my favorite!)

The amount of characterization and detail in the chapter headings alone, can be an inspiration to modern illustrators. The full page illustrations are a complement to the headings and the melodic tone of William Henry Hudson's text.

This edition of A Little Boy Lost was first published by Alfred A. Knopf in 1920. I've copied the illustrations at their highest resolution from their original source. If you click on the link, you can read the story and see the illustrations in their original context, including surprise illustrations at the end of most chapters, further extending the text.

Click on each image for great detail.





Title Page




Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Title Page ~ 1936 Edition







Chapters I to III






Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter I ~ The Home on the Great Plain










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter II ~ The Spoonbill and the Cloud










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Chapter II ~ The Spoonbill and the Cloud

"Oh, poor bird," he cried suddenly, "open your wings and fly away!"










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter III ~ Chasing a Flying Figure







Chapters IV to XII







Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter IV~ Martin Is Found by a Deaf Old Man










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Chapter IV ~ Martin Is Found by a Deaf Old Man

Groping his way to the bucket of cold water-- he managed
to raise it up in his arms, and poured it over the sleeper.










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter V ~ The People of the Mirage










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Chapter V ~ The People of the Mirage

"The Queen wishes to speak to you-- stand up, little boy."










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter VI ~ Martin Meets with Savages










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter VII ~ Alone in the Great Forest










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Chapter VII ~ Alone in the Great Forest

How strange it seemed when, holding on to a twig, he bent over and
saw himself reflected in that black mirror.










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter VIII ~ The Flower and the Serpent










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Chapter VIII ~ The Flower and the Serpent

He quickly ate it, and then pulled another and ate that,
and then another, and still others, until he could eat no more.










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter IX ~ The Black People of the Sky










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter X ~ A Troop of Wild Horses










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Chapter X ~ A Troop of Wild Horses

Then the wild man, catching Martin up, leaped upon
the back of one of the horses.









Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter XI ~ The Lady of the Hills










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Chapter XI ~ The Lady of the Hills

She raised him in her arms and pressed him to her bosom,
wrapping her hair like a warm mantle around him.










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter XII ~ The Little People Underground










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Chapter XII ~ The Little People Underground

For a moment or two he was tempted to turn and run
back into the passage through which he had come.








Chapter XIII to XVIII







Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter XIII ~ The Great Blue Water









Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter XIV ~ The Wonder of the Hills









Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Chapter XIV ~ The Wonder of the Hills

The doe-- timidly smelt at his hand,
then licked it with her long pink tongue.










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter XV ~ Martin's Eyes are Opened









Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Chapter XV ~ Martin's Eyes are Opened

Throwing up her arms she uttered a long call, and
the birds began to come lower and lower down.










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter XVI ~ The People of the Mist









Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter XVI ~ The People of the Mist

One of the mist people-- held the shell to Martin's ear,--
and Martin knew-- that it was the voice of the sea.










Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Heading ~ Chapter XVII ~ The Old Man of the Sea









Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Chapter XVII ~ The Old Man of the Sea

He in turn, leaning over the rock stared back into Martin's face
with his immense fishy eyes.









Dorothy Lathrop

A Little Boy Lost  by W. H. Hudson

Alfred A. Knopf ~ c 1920

Chapter XVIII ~ Martin Plays with the Waves








What are your favorite Dorothy Lathrop books and Illustrations?

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Sunday, January 8, 2012

Francis Donkin Bedford ~ Peter and Wendy ~ 1911



"To die will be an awfully big adventure?" The original story of J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan is not the idyllic world we may imagine. Death is real, and "true love" is misplaced or forgotten.

Peter and Wendy by J. M. Barrie, illustrated by F. D. Bedford, was published by Hodder & Stoughton (London), and Charles Scribner's Sons (New York), in 1911.

Read the story as illustrated by Francis Donkin Bedford, better known as F. D. Bedford, at the Open Library, and in an attractively readable version at Project Gutenberg, which also includes the images in a smaller version than the cover art, the title page, and the twelve illustrations represented here at Art of Narrative.

Francis Donkin Bedford (1864-1954) was a prolific illustrator. He was born in London, studied architecture at the South Kensington Schools and the Royal Academy, and worked briefly as an architect. He went on in the 1890s to illustrate books, including several of his own. He was a member of the Artworkers' Guild. Additional biographical detail is available by following the link, and from art and illustration reference books.


This entry comes from Book Illustrators of the Twentienth Century by Brigid Peppin (Arco, c1984), and is copied here as a page excerpt under "fair use" for educational purposes:

Francis Donkin Bedford (1864-1954)

Born in London. Studied architecture at South Kensington and the Royal Academy Schools. Articled to the architect Sir Arthur Blomfield for four years before embarking, in the 1890s, on a long and successful career in book illustration. He worked in black and white and full colour, and was one of the first artists to take advantage of the then newly developed four colour process. The interior and exterior settings for his drawings clearly reflect his architectural training and often showed a marked liking for the then popular 'Bedford Park' style; his figures and animals were lively and expressive..." ~ Book Illustrators of the Twentieth Century


This quote from Francis Bedford, also copied under "fair use," comes from Illustrators of Children's Books 1744-1945 (Horn Book, c1947):

"The wish to paint and illustrate gradually prevailed... but I have never regretted an architectural training and my work still includes both pictures and illustrations of English and foreign buildings with an occasional return to architectural design. A delight in picture books in my early years led me in the 1880's to try my hand at one for children... Since then I have enjoyed doing others, as well as paintings in tempera and water color. My work has its roots in nature and the designs of the masters based upon its architecture, sculpture, painting and book illustration through the ages." ~ Francis Donkin Bedford


Click on each dynamic image for great detail.





Francis Donkin Bedford ~ Peter and Wendy  by J. M. Barrie

Charles Scribner's Sons ~ 1911

Cover Detail






Francis Donkin Bedford ~ Peter and Wendy  by J. M. Barrie

Charles Scribner's Sons ~ 1911

Frontispiece ~ Peter Flew In






Francis Donkin Bedford ~ Peter and Wendy  by J. M. Barrie

Charles Scribner's Sons ~ 1911

Title Page






Francis Donkin Bedford ~ Peter and Wendy  by J. M. Barrie

Charles Scribner's Sons ~ 1911

The Birds Were Flown






Francis Donkin Bedford ~ Peter and Wendy  by J. M. Barrie

Charles Scribner's Sons ~ 1911

Let Him Keep Who Can






Francis Donkin Bedford ~ Peter and Wendy  by J. M. Barrie

Charles Scribner's Sons ~ 1911

The Never Never Land






Francis Donkin Bedford ~ Peter and Wendy  by J. M. Barrie

Charles Scribner's Sons ~ 1911

Peter On Guard






Francis Donkin Bedford ~ Peter and Wendy  by J. M. Barrie

Charles Scribner's Sons ~ 1911

Summer Days On The Lagoon






Francis Donkin Bedford ~ Peter and Wendy  by J. M. Barrie

Charles Scribner's Sons ~ 1911

"To Die Will Be An Awfully Big Adventure?"






Francis Donkin Bedford ~ Peter and Wendy  by J. M. Barrie

Charles Scribner's Sons ~ 1911

Wendy's Story






Francis Donkin Bedford ~ Peter and Wendy  by J. M. Barrie

Charles Scribner's Sons ~ 1911

Flung Like Bales






Francis Donkin Bedford ~ Peter and Wendy  by J. M. Barrie

Charles Scribner's Sons ~ 1911

Hook Or Me This Time






Francis Donkin Bedford ~ Peter and Wendy  by J. M. Barrie

Charles Scribner's Sons ~ 1911

"This Man Is Mine!"






Francis Donkin Bedford ~ Peter and Wendy  by J. M. Barrie

Charles Scribner's Sons ~ 1911

Peter And Jane




I love these illustrations from Peter and Wendy. My favorites are the frontispiece, Peter Flew In; Wendy’s Story, which is not derivative, but reminds me of Arthur Rackham; Hook Or Me This Time; The Birds Were Flown; Summer Days On The Lagoon, and Peter And Jane. I find “To Die Will Be An Awfully Big Adventure?” to be poignant, and all of the illustrations to be well conceived, gorgeous and dramatic.

What are your favorites? What can you share about F. D. Bedford?



Monday, January 2, 2012

Edmund Dulac ~ Fairies I Have Met ~ Hodder & Stoughton ~ 1910

Edmund Dulac ~ Fairies I Have Met ~ Book Cover

Fairies I Have Met  by Mrs. (Maud Margaret) Rodolph Stawell
Hodder & Stoughton ~ 1910




For all the beauty of its cover, the title page is quite plain, so I've not included it, but all 8 illustrations for Fairies I Have Met  by Mrs. Rodolph (Maud Margaret) Stawell are represented here, with the edges cropped and the color restored, copied from their original source where you can read the story and view the illustrations in context.

I presented them first in June 2011 at my tumblr blog, The Art of Narrative, where the images appear large and of the same size on the opening page. Click on them here, and the images are at their largest.

Fairies I Have Met was published in 1910 by Hodder and Stoughton, with illustrations lesser known but no less charming and personable than Dulac's work for The Sleeping Beauty and Other Fairy Tales, also published by Hodder and Stoughton in the same year.

Edmund Dulac (1882-1953) is one of the premiere illustrators of the golden age of children's book illustration, and among my personal favorites. He was born October 22, 1882 in Toulouse, France, and attended Toulouse University, Toulouse Art School, and Académie Julian in Paris. He became a British citizen in 1912.

Click each image for great detail.




Edmund Dulac ~ Frontispiece
The Bird of Shadows & The Sun Bird

Fairies I Have Met  by Mrs. (Maud Margaret) Rodolph Stawell
Hodder & Stoughton ~ 1910

"Please," she said, "I want to be a nightingale."





Edmund Dulac ~ The Sea-Fairy & The Land-Fairy

Fairies I Have Met  by Mrs. (Maud Margaret) Rodolph Stawell
Hodder & Stoughton ~ 1910

He held out the little shell in the beam of coloured light.





Edmund Dulac ~ Princess Orchid's Party

Fairies I Have Met  by Mrs. (Maud Margaret) Rodolph Stawell
Hodder & Stoughton ~ 1910

She smiled at him very graciously when he was introduced to her.





Edmund Dulac ~ The Cloud That Had No Lining

Fairies I Have Met  by Mrs. (Maud Margaret) Rodolph Stawell
Hodder & Stoughton ~ 1910

And because the silver of the moonshine-fairies is very light
he was able to carry a great deal of it.





Edmund Dulac ~ The Fairies Who Changed Places

Fairies I Have Met  by Mrs. (Maud Margaret) Rodolph Stawell
Hodder & Stoughton ~ 1910

Drop-Of-Crystal was too busy to speak.





Edmund Dulac ~ The Making of the Opal

Fairies I Have Met  by Mrs. (Maud Margaret) Rodolph Stawell
Hodder & Stoughton ~ 1910

Of course, the Dear Princess... wore the great opal
on the day that she was married.







Edmund Dulac ~ The Big Spider's Diamonds

Fairies I Have Met  by Mrs. (Maud Margaret) Rodolph Stawell
Hodder & Stoughton ~ 1910

The web and the diamonds and the Big Spider
himself all fell to the ground.





Edmund Dulac ~ A Little Girl in a Book

Fairies I Have Met  by Mrs. (Maud Margaret) Rodolph Stawell
Hodder & Stoughton ~ 1910

The other people in the book looked at her in surprise.



If you have any favorites, or special love for Edmund Dulac's work, please leave your comments.