Children's Book Illustrators:
Some First-Rate Alternatives
by Terry A. Stillman
Originally published in the August/September, 1980 issue
of "Antiques and Art" magazine, Vancouver, British Columbia.
(Generally, for 2008 values, multiply prices mentioned by four to five times.)
It seems that, of every five Canadian book collectors, at least one of
them professes to collect children's books. Ask these people what type of children's
books they prefer, and many will probably say "Oh, Rackham, people like that."
Arthur Rackham (1867-1939), illustrated well over 50 books, most of them
books for children. Because he illustrated so many, which were in turn published
in several editions, and because his illustrations were so colourful and fanciful,
he was a natural starting point for many collectors. This was especially so in the
early 1970s, when books containing Rackham's illustrations began to escalate
dramatically in price.
Enthusiastic collectors still hope to find Rackham illustrated books for
bargain prices, but the chance of picking up a first edition today for less than
$50 is very slim. Special limited editions of books illustrated by Arthur Rackham
now start at $300. Cheaper, later reprints do turn up now and then, and the
collector of moderate means must settle for these.
The same holds true for other popular illustrators of Rackham's era: Maxfield
Parrish, Edmund Dulac, Kay Neilsen, Willy Pogany, Charles and W. Heath Robinson.
These artists' names were quickly memorized by collectors and the inevitable
happened--when demand went up, up went the prices!
However, if you are just starting to collect children's books or if you're
finally frustrated with trying to find the most popular illustrator, there are
several first-rate alternatives. Three names that come immediately to mind are
Maurice Sendak, Edward Ardizzone and Feodor Rojankovsky.
Although to some minds, Maurice Sendak has achieved the status of Arthur
Rackham and W. Heath Robinson, his work is not as widely known as yet, nor is it
as expensive. Maurice Sendak was born in 1928 and illustrated his first books
in the early 1950s. He began in black and white, illustrating other people's
stories, but he gradually began to demonstrate his superb use of colour and to
write his own books.
Sendak is perhaps best known for his book "Where the Wild Things Are" (1963),
for which he won the Caldecott Medal. He also did glorious colour illustrations
for Charlotte Zolotow's "Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present" (1962), and delightful
pictures for the "Little Bear" series by Else Holmelund Minarik. He seems to have
the rare ability to change his style to exactly suit each individual story that
he illustrates.
Most of the books illustrated by Maurice Sendak in the 1950s and early
1960's are now selling for $15 to $30. Books published in the late '60s and
early '70s can still be bought for around $10. And if you're fortunate, you can
still find first editions of Sendak's books published between 1975 and 1978
for the original price of $4.95 to $6.95.
New books by Sendak are still appearing, and collectors might be wise to buy
them as they become available. His books are very popular with children, and
they can be thoroughly--though perhaps carefully--enjoyed while they appreciate
in value. Stress must be placed on keeping the books in good condition.
Edward Ardizzone, born in 1900, had his first book "Little Tim and the
Brave Sea Captain" published in 1936. Like many children's books, his first was
originally done for the enjoyment of his own children. First editions of his
books today are selling for about $25 to $30.
In all, there are 10 books about Tim's youthful exploits--the final one,
"Tim's Last Voyage", being published in 1972. In 1956, Ardizzone was awarded
the Kate Greenaway Medal in Britain for "Tim All Alone". His black and white
and soft watercolour illustrations are not detailed but nevertheless convey
a believable sense of action and reality and continue to be lively and amusing.
Ardizzone has illustrated over 100 children's books, with prices ranging
today from about $6 to $30. However, it is still possible to find some of his
books as remainders and old stock.
Edward Ardizzone is another illustrator whose books will probably continue
to escalate in price year after year. A purchase now, particularly at the
published price or less, is an investment possibility a collector shouldn't
ignore. Even titles at the higher end of the price scale now will probably
be very difficult to obtain in five years' time.
A third choice as an illustrator to consider collecting is Feodor
Rojankovsky. Born in 1891, in Mitava, Russia, he went to the United States in
1941, where he lived and worked until his death in October of 1970.
Rojankovsky would have to be considered one of the foremost colour
illustrators of the century. He worked on his drawings and paintings until
he considered each one perfect. He used vivid colours and rich textures, and
his illustrations have a very appealing, earthy feeling.
His first book to be published, in Paris and the United States, was
Esther Averill's "Daniel Boone" (1931). This book now commands prices as high
as $45. "The Tall Book of Mother Goose"(1942) and "The Tall Book of Nursery
Tales" (1942) were bestsellers, and in 1956, he was awarded the Caldecott
Medal for his illustrations to John Langstaff's "A Frog Went a-Courtin."
Rojankovsky's last book was published posthumously by McGraw-Hill in
1973. It was "A Year in the Forest" by Bill Hall, a fellow nature lover. Some
of the drawings are not entirely finshed, but the publishers felt that the
book should be available to the public. It contains magnificent panoramas of
the forest and charmingly detailed drawings of the animals, fruits and flowers
of every season. A beautiful book!
Rojankovsky illustrated more than 100 books, so there are plenty to watch
for. "A Crowd of Cows" (1960) has to be one of the best picture books produced
in the '60s. Today it sells for about $10. With some diligent searching, a
collector could find several books illustrated by Feodor Rojankovsky for $15
or less. The money and time would be well spent.
Some other 20th century illustrators who have done fine work in children's
books and who are also very collectible include William Pene DuBois, Robert
McCloskey, Leonard Weisgard, Roger Duvoisin, Leo Politi, Ingri and Edgar
Paria D'Aulaire.
You may wand to research their work in the children's section of the
public library to decide which you enjoy most. First editions of their earlier
books are selling in the $7 to $20 range.
Two outstanding artists of the '70s are Mercer Mayer and Alan Aldridge.
Mayer's outrageous book "One Monster After Another" is positively delightful!
And Aldridge has done beautiful illustrations for books such as "The Ship's
Cat" by Richard Adams and "The Butterfly's Ball and Grasshopper's Feast" by
William Plomer. These latter two books have already been republished at more
than twice the original price!
Some notable book illustration has been done in Canada in recent years.
Special mention must be made of a British Columbia artist who is becoming
perhaps the most collectible illustrator of Canadian children's books.
Her name is Ann Blades, and her simplified watercolour illustrations evoke
an immediately favourable response from the viewer. She has now illustrated
six books, three of which she also wrote. Her first, "Mary of Mile 18", was
published in 1971, and the first edition is already a collector's item.
Arthur Rackham died in 1939, W. Heath Robinson in 1944, and Edmund Dulac
in 1953. Collectors have been chasing down their books for decades, so
competition is fierce. Illustrators who produced books in the '50s and '60's
and on into the '70s are the ones whom wise collectors should be looking for
now. Seek them out and build your collection around them today, and you'll
have a valuable and treasured collection tomorrow.
XXXXX
Terry A. Stillman
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