I’m not done with Pickwick yet.
On another dismally dank day I spent some time scanning the contents of
Here is the front cover
and here the title page.
The publishers have not dated the weighty volume, but Mr Reynolds’s illustrations are dated 1910. The book consists of extracts from Charles Dickens’s comic novel beautifully illustrated by another of my favourite artists.
I reviewed The Folio Society full version in yesterday’s post without revealing the story; I hope it will not give too much away by captioning each of these paintings with the title printed on the tissue protecting the tipped in chromolithographic plates. I will omit the explanatory lines that accompany these titles.
MR PICKWICK (Frontispiece)
MR TUPMAN, MR SNODGRASS, AND MR WINKLE
MR ALFRED JINGLE
ON THE ROCHESTER COACH
THE BULL INN, ROCHESTER
MR JINGLE ARRAYED IN MR NATHANIEL WINKLE’S SUIT
THE PICKWICKIANS SET OUT FOR DINGLEY DELL
MR WARDLE
SAM WELLER
MR JINGLE AND THE SPINSTER AUNT
MR PICKWICK UNDERGOES A TRYING EXPERIENCE
MRS LEO HUNTER’S PARTY
A PLEASANT DAY
MR PICKWICK’S ROMANTIC ADVENTURE
THE ELDER MR WELLER
MRS WELLER AND MR STIGGINS
MISS ARABELLA ALLEN
THE FAT BOY
THE PICKWICKIANS DISPORT THEMSELVES ON THE ICE
MR BOB SAWYER AND MR BEN ALLEN
MR SERJEANT BUZFUZ
SAM WELLER ATTENDS A SELECT SOIREE
MR JINGLE IN THE FLEET
THE UNTIMELY DOWNFALL OF THE REVEREND MR STIGGINS
This is what Wikipedia tells us about the artist:
‘Frank Reynolds (1876 in London – April 1953) was a British artist. Son of an artist, he studied at Heatherley’s School of Art.[1]
Reynolds had a drawing called A provincial theatre company on tour published in The Graphic on 30 November 1901. In 1906, he began contributing to Punchmagazine[1] and was regularly published within its pages during World War I, noted for his anti-Kaiser illustrations in Punch.[2] A collection of 199 of his illustrations is in the Punch archives.[3]
Peggotty and young David Copperfield, art by Frank Reynolds 1911
He was well known for his many illustrations in several books by Charles Dickens, including David Copperfield (c1911),[4] The Pickwick Papers (c1912) and The Old Curiosity Shop (c1913).[2] He succeeded F. H. Townsend as the Art Editor for Punch.[1]
He was also a prolific watercolour painter and was a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours from 1903. He continued to illustrate in black and white or in colours all his life. He became known in the 1930s and through the Second World War for characters called The Bristlewoods.[1]
One of his more notable works is entitled Jingle.’
This evening we dined on baked ham, creamy mashed potatoes; piquant cauliflower cheese, crunchy carrots, and tender runner beans with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2018.
Delightful Pickwick characters. Thanks for posting them. Your dinner sounded delicious.
Thanks very much, Jan.
Those illustrations are a delight! The title page makes me want to dance. I hope the weather improves.
I was thinking about you and Jackie last night when I suddenly realized that the novel I’m reading is set in your part of the world. I mentioned it in my Monday post–it’s set in the 1930s, and it’s about a woman who joins the embroiders at Winchester Cathedral. She took a walking holiday and had to walk through New Forest–and met up with a Mr. Knight! 🙂
🙂 !! Thanks very much, Merril
🙂
OOOH That’s a bit spooky!
The character? It would be extra strange if his name was Derrick. His name is Arthur, and he’s a bell ringer.
🙂
These are fabulous!
Thanks very much, Sheree. This was the golden age of book illustration.
Gorgeous illustrations, Derrick. Hope your weather picks up soon.
Thanks very much, Sylvia. It’s only early spring, of course.
I have ‘Great Expectations’ for warmer weather when we are over there in May. 😃
That is a good one, Sylvia.
A delight. Thank you for these.
I’m pleased you liked them, Tootlepedal. Thanks a lot.
Some of the expressions look so life like, Derrick. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much, Jill
Beautiful work by Frank Reynolds!
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
These are wonderful color illustrations by Reynolds. Thank you!
And thank you for enjoying them, Lavinia.
Oh Derrick, you’ve certainly spoilt us today with so many photos of these magnificent drawings/paintings. And the Wikipedia addition is a informative footnote…After going through the prints a few times, my favourite is, ‘Mrs Leo Hunter’s Party’…..
A good choice, Ivor. Happy and sunny.
Thanks very much
A great collection Derrick.
Thanks a lot, Andrew.
OH! These are amazing! Love the expressions on the faces. Mr Reynolds is a wonderful artist! Each illustration in the book is a masterpiece. Some of them made me go “aw”, some “OH!”, some “Yikes!”, and some made me giggle! 😀
Thank you for teaching us about Mr. Reynolds! I enjoy learning about artists. 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
I’m pleased to learn your vociferous responses, Carolyn. Thank you very much X
You’re welcome very much! 🙂
Some excellent pictures there, especially the one of Mr Alfred Jingle.
Thanks very much, John. Glad you liked them
Derrick, thank you for sharing these beautiful and touching illustrations from the book. It’s interesting to learn more about the artist, Frank Reynolds and I’m not surprised he was so much in demand!
Your dinner sounds delicious and is making me hungry …despite the fact I’ve just had breakfast! 😀
Much appreciated, Annika
Such beautiful illustrations. They make me envious of the book you’re reading!
Thank you very much, Arlene
Great illustrations to send us and your day is topped off with a culinary feast!!
Much appreciated, GP
These illustrations are a real Art. I love them!
I’m pleased, Alexander. Thank you very much.
Derrick, old books were piece of art. On top of contest they’ve been really well made. The cover, the paper, the illustrations made them look great. To hold them in the hands was a pleasure.
Nowadays this kind of books is the treasure!
Agreed
Wonderful, expressive illustrations that really capture the emotions and feel of the various characters. Makes me want to read the book. I’ve only read “David Copperfield” and “Great Expectations.”
Those are two good ones, Laurie. Thank you very much.
This is a a rich and detailed collection, Derrick. Nice.
Thanks very much, Alys.
Illustrated so well Too!
Yes. Two of my favourites from different eras. Thanks very much, Sue
Beautiful illustrations! So very different from Charles Keeping’s ones but just as true to the story.
Yes – two different eras, Clare. Many thanks
🙂
I love these illustrations. They have that Victorian era feel to them. (Or should I say, that Victorian era I’m accustomed to seeing in books!)
They do, indeed – although Victoria hadn’t ascended when Dickens’s book was first published. One noticeable aspect to these illustrations is candlelight. Thanks very much, Liz.
Thank you for the clarification. Victoria’s reign cast a long shadow in my perception of the 19th century.
I had to check.
Ah, I see . . .
Excellent illustrations, quite realistic, yet with a touch of humor. I am familiar with Reynolds’ watercolors, but these illustrations with their vivid characterization are new to me. Thank you for sharing them, Derrick.
I’m pleased, Dolly, and much appreciate your comments.
Always my pleasure, Derrick.
Those pictures are much more powerful than a modern day 3D cinema.
Aren’t they just, Uma. Thanks very much.
Dear Derrick, I thank you for sharing so much beautiful. 🙂
I thank you for sharing so much beauty. 🙂
My pleasure, Micheline. Thank you for appreciating it.
Superb illustrations.
x
Thanks very much, Melanie.
😊
The paintings are exquisite! They remind me so much of Norman Rockwell’s Saturday Evening Post illustrations. Very talented and under appreciated. Thanks Derrick!
Rex
Thanks very much, Rex. I like Rockwell, too.