Not currently on display at the V&A

Children and elves on a see-saw

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
TitleChildren and elves on a see-saw (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Pen and ink and watercolour on card
Brief description
Watercolour drawing by Audley Gunston, ca.1900; commissioned by Ernest Nister.
Physical description
Pen and ink and watercolour drawing on stiff card. In the foreground two girls (one a baby) sit on a see-saw opposite four elves. In the background is a church and other buildings partly hidden by trees. Drawing on pasteboard produced by 'O.W. Paper & Arts Co. Ltd., London', 'Surface No. 1' (verso). Mounted on card.
Dimensions
  • Mount height: 335mm
  • Mount width: 388mm
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • Signed by the artist on the bottom right of drawing
  • Bookplate on verso reads: 'From the Library of Anne Renier and F.G. Renier'
  • Initialled by Anne Renier in ink on verso: 'AR'
  • Inscribed in ink on verso: '9137'
  • Inscribed in ink on verso: 'Audley Gunston'
  • Inscribed in blue crayon on verso: 'XXIX', '12/12' and '33'
  • Ink stamp on verso reads: 'Ernest Nister / Order no.: 41392/1'
Credit line
Donated by Anne Renier and F.G. Renier.
Object history
Drawn by Audley Gunston ca. 1900 for an Ernest Nister publication. 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.289

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Record createdFebruary 22, 2008
Record URL
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