Tag Archives: Quennell

Modern Encyclopædia for Children

The Modern Encyclopædia for Children – Odhams – Dustjacket

I tripped over this encyclopedia on ebay and bought it when the seller included one photo showing me it contains artwork by Raymond Sheppard. As I now own the book I thought I’d share some of the other illustrations. You can see by the image above it’s a large book in terms of pages (640) but only 8.5 inches tall.

The Modern Encyclopaedia for Children is sub-titled: A companion to school work and out-of-school interests, for all young people who wish to know more! They don’t make titles like that any more! It was published in 1948 by Odhams Press according to the British Library and interior evidence (maps of the ‘new’ Germany and Poland confirm a post war date). The ‘Acknowledgement’ above identifies at least two artists in the book. We can see that the fashion through history plates are by the Quennells.

A 1918 book by the spouses Marjorie and Charles Henry Bourne Quennell the title was originally published in 4 volumes to 1914.

Here’s the first plate I think is by the married couple which appears as the Frontispiece

Frontispiece by the Quennells

IDENTIFYING ARTISTS

I’ve chosen to show images I was intrigued by, and see if I can guess who the artists are.

Page 8 shows a sort of signature in the bottom right, but what is it?
Page 20 – Reminds me of Robin Jacques’ work with all that stippling
Page 38 A strongly lit image using various techniques, but no signature!
Page 69 Beethoven by ‘Freeman’ who I think must be Terence Reginald Freeman

My friend Steve Holland has a biography and bibliography of Freeman’s work and the BBC show his cover for the Radio Times May 1945. He also illustrates a portrait of the Bard in this book

Page 522 Shakespeare by Terence Reginald Freeman
Page 85 by Jack Dunkley – a lovely lively and affectionate drawing. Famous for “The Larks” cartoon strip in the Daily Mirror 1957-1985, Dunkley died in 1994 – Read an interview and see his work in the book The Art of the Radio Times – compiled by David Driver
Page 93. Again a lot of stippling but no credit!
Page 96 – Raymond Sheppard’s signature clearly visible
Page 154 a portrait of Oliver Cromwell – uncredited again but the signature can just be seen.But what is it? below are the blown up signatures in negative and positive
Page 174-175 4 Dickens drawings by Hyman Stone. I’ve found mention of Stone, unsurprisingly being a member of the British Jewish community but otherwise I’ve drawn a blank about him. There was a Dorothy and Hyam Stone living at 41 Orchard Court London W.1 but….
Page 223 – The great Ronald Lampitt gives us a birds-eye view again – his trademark drawing!
Page 231 M Cummings – I wonder if this is early work by Michael Cummings (1919-1997), the political cartoonist?
Page 330 Dr. Johnson drawn by Stanley Herbert (1905-1967) – his signature always distinctive
Page 464 Drawn by Wigglesworth. The only person of that name I know is Katherine Wigglesworth of “Little Grey Rabbit” fame. But that’s not an intelligent guess!
Page 620 drawn by Rose Ellenby who has a drawing of fungi in the V&A collection and drew plates for two books on fungi
Page 623 A Norman castle drawn by Corsellis, who I think must be Elizabeth Corsellis (1907-2005)

As usual this was done just to share images I thought would be forgotten otherwise and if anyone can help identify / correct anything I’ve done here, please do get in contact

~Norman