Two rabbits and a chick thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Two rabbits and a chick

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
TitleTwo rabbits and a chick (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour on card
Brief description
Watercolour drawing by Charles Collins, ca.1900; commissioned by Ernest Nister.
Physical description
Watercolour drawing on stiff card of two rabbits, one (grey and white) inside a hutch in the background. A chick stands on top of the hutch. Three eggs sit beside the rabbit (brown and white) in the foreground, one yellow, one blue and one red. Mounted on card.
Dimensions
  • Mount height: 340mm
  • Mount width: 270mm
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • Bookplate on verso of drawing reads: 'From the Library of Anne Renier and F.G. Renier'
  • Inscribed by Anne Renier in ink on verso: 'AR'
  • Inscribed in blue crayon on verso: 'XXXI' and '35'
  • Inscribed in pencil by Anne Renier on verso: 'Charles Collins'
  • Ink stamp on verso reads: 'Ernest Nister / Order No. 41849/5'
  • Note in ink on verso: '9861' and '12/12'
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.257

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Record createdFebruary 18, 2008
Record URL
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