Not currently on display at the V&A

Swiss Family Robinson

Illustration
ca.1905 (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.

About 1905, Nister published a version of the popular story, Der Schweizerische Robinson - Swiss Family Robinson - written by Johann David Wyss and first published in 1812. Nister's edition was edited by W.H.G. Kingston and illustrated by Heinrich Kley.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • <u>Swiss Family Robinson</u> (popular title)
  • ''Ernest called and screamed in vain' (generic title)
  • Two youths riding oxen (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour on card
Brief description
Watercolour drawing by H. Kley, ca.1905; commissioned by Ernest Nister.
Physical description
Watercolour drawing of a scene from 'Swiss Family Robinson'. Two boys ride oxen, one galloping after the other. Another boy sits in a basket attached to the bull in the foreground. Mounted on card.
Dimensions
  • Mount height: 291mm
  • Mount width: 224mm
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • 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 blue crayon on verso: '12/12' and '7'
  • Inscribed in ink on verso: 'XVII' and '2 youths riding oxen'
  • White and blue decorative label on verso, inscribed '5148'
  • Inscribed in pencil on verso: 'Swiss Family Robinson', '5148' and 'H. Kley'
  • Artist's cipher in red incorporating H and K on bottom left corner of drawing
Credit line
Donated by Anne Renier and F.G. Renier.
Object history
Drawn by Heinrich Kley ca.1905 to illustrate Ernest Nister's edition of Johann David Wyss's 'The Swiss Family Robinson'. Bequeathed to the V&A in 1970 by Anne and Fernand G. Renier as part of the Renier Collection.
Subjects depicted
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.

About 1905, Nister published a version of the popular story, Der Schweizerische Robinson - Swiss Family Robinson - written by Johann David Wyss and first published in 1812. Nister's edition was edited by W.H.G. Kingston and illustrated by Heinrich Kley.
Other number
Nister - Previous Renier Collection pressmark
Collection
Library number
RENIER.314

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 27, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest