Not currently on display at the V&A

Rabbit, hen and blue and red egg

Illustration
ca.1900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Ernest Nister (1842-1909) began his publishing career in 1885 when he acquired a lithographic workshop in Nürnberg and printed books for London publishers. In 1888 he became a publisher in his own right with offices at 24 St. Bride Street, London. He appointed the writer and editor, Robert Ellice Mack, as director.

Nister specialised in high quality colour printing for children in the last quarter of the 19th century. Movable books with various mechanisms became his speciality after 1890 (when be published his first stand-up book) but he also produced numerous picture books, annuals, poetry, nursery rhymes, calendars and greetings cards. He worked with a core of writers, including Clifton Bingham and Robert Ellice Mack, and illustrators, in particular Eveline Lance, Harriett M. Bennett, Edith A. Cubitt and Rosa Petherick.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleRabbit, hen and blue and red egg (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour on card
Brief description
Watercolour drawing by Charles Collins of a rabbit and hen; commissioned by Ernest Nister; ca.1900.
Physical description
Watercolour drawing on stiff card of a grey rabbit sitting beside a hen in a field with a bush in the background and clumps of daffodils in the background, on the left of the animals and in the foreground. Beside the rabbit are two eggs, one red and one blue. Initialled in the bottom right corner: 'CC'. Mounted on card.
Dimensions
  • Mount height: 265mm
  • Mount width: 342mm
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • Initialled in bottom right: 'CC'
  • Bookplate on verso of drawing reads: 'From the Library of Anne Renier and Fernand G. Renier'
  • Inscribed in ink on verso: 'Ch Collins R.B.A. / Rabbit Hen & blue & red Egg' and '12/12'
  • Inscribed in blue crayon on verso: '9358', 'XXX' and '19'
Credit line
Donated by Anne Renier and F.G. Renier.
Object history
Drawn by Charles Collins ca. 1900 for Ernest Nister. Bequeathed to the V&A in 1970 by Anne and Fernand G. Renier as part of the Renier Collection.
Subjects depicted
Literary referenceCommissioned by Ernest Nister.
Summary
Ernest Nister (1842-1909) began his publishing career in 1885 when he acquired a lithographic workshop in Nürnberg and printed books for London publishers. In 1888 he became a publisher in his own right with offices at 24 St. Bride Street, London. He appointed the writer and editor, Robert Ellice Mack, as director.

Nister specialised in high quality colour printing for children in the last quarter of the 19th century. Movable books with various mechanisms became his speciality after 1890 (when be published his first stand-up book) but he also produced numerous picture books, annuals, poetry, nursery rhymes, calendars and greetings cards. He worked with a core of writers, including Clifton Bingham and Robert Ellice Mack, and illustrators, in particular Eveline Lance, Harriett M. Bennett, Edith A. Cubitt and Rosa Petherick.
Other number
Nister - Previous Renier Collection pressmark
Collection
Library number
RENIER.253

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Record createdFebruary 18, 2008
Record URL
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