Not currently on display at the V&A

Elephant fighting

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
TitleElephant fighting (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour on card
Brief description
Watercolour drawing by G. H. Thompson, ca.1900; produced for Ernest Nister.
Physical description
Watercolour drawing on stiff card depicting an elephant fighting against wolves. The elephant is dressed in furs and has a sword attached to a red belt around its waist. It holds a rifle in its right paw. An arrow has pierced its left ear. The elephant is running into a pack of wolves. the wolves wear red grass skirts around their waists and carry bows, arrows and spears. One wolf is lying on the ground, trodden by the elephant. In the background a bear watches. Mounted on card.
Dimensions
  • Mount height: 392mm
  • Mount width: 318mm
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', '8948', 'XXIX' and '75'
  • Inscribed in pencil on verso: 'G. H. Thompson / Elephant fighting''
  • Initialled by the artist in bottom left corner: 'GHT'
  • Ink stamp on verso reads: 'Ernest Nister / Order No. 41159 / 5' [number crossed through with pencil]
Credit line
Donated by Anne Renier and F.G. Renier.
Object history
Drawn by G. H. Thompson ca. 1900 for Ernest Nister. Bequeathed to the V&A in 1970 by Anne Renier 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.365

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Record createdMarch 5, 2008
Record URL
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