Not currently on display at the V&A

'My Dolls' Christmas Dinner'

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, Lizzie Lawson, Harriett M. Bennett, Edith A. Cubitt and Rosa Petherick.

This illustration by Rosa C. Petherick accompanies a story entitled 'The Dolls' Christmas Dinner' by L.L.W. in Bright Eyes Story Book (no. 2275) [originally to be entitled 'Our Own Story Book'], published in London by Ernest Nister and in New York by E.P. Dutton & Co., ca.1900.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • 'My Dolls' Christmas Dinner' (manufacturer's title)
  • 'The Dolls' Christmas Dinner' (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour on card
Brief description
Watercolour drawing by Rosa C. Petherick, ca.1900; commissioned by Ernest Nister.
Physical description
Watercolour drawing on stiff card depicting an interior scene of a girl wearing blue and white sat at a table cutting a Christmas pudding. A large sprig of holly is atop the pudding. Three dolls (one a Dutch doll) sit at the table with her on separate chairs. Green carpet and pale yellow walls; with three framed pictures on the wall in the background (partial view of two). Mounted on card.
Dimensions
  • Mount height: 364mm
  • Mount width: 305mm
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • Inscribed by the artist in bottom right corner
  • Bookplate on verso reads: 'From the Library of Anne Renier and F.G. Renier'
  • Initialled in ink by Anne Renier on verso: 'AR'
  • Inscribed in blue crayon on verso: '12/12', 'XXXII', '11024', '14' and '6f'
  • Ink stamp on verso reads: 'Ernest Nister / Order no. 42085a/3 / Use: Our Own Story Book'
  • Partial stamp on verso of card: '[Winsor & N]ewton's / [Dra]wing Board.'
  • Inscription in ink on verso reads: 'Miss R.C. Petherick / 25 Havelock Rd. / Croydon / Surrey.'
Credit line
Donated by Anne Renier and F.G. Renier.
Object history
Drawn by Rosa C. Petherick 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
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, Lizzie Lawson, Harriett M. Bennett, Edith A. Cubitt and Rosa Petherick.

This illustration by Rosa C. Petherick accompanies a story entitled 'The Dolls' Christmas Dinner' by L.L.W. in Bright Eyes Story Book (no. 2275) [originally to be entitled 'Our Own Story Book'], published in London by Ernest Nister and in New York by E.P. Dutton & Co., ca.1900.
Other number
Nister - Previous Renier Collection pressmark
Collection
Library number
RENIER.340

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 createdMarch 3, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest