Not currently on display at the V&A

Jack and the Beanstalk

Illustration
ca.1895 (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 Victor Venner was published by Ernest Nister in Jack and the Beanstalk (ca.1895), with the title, 'Jack and the little brown hen'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Title<u>Jack and the Beanstalk</u> (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour on card
Brief description
Watercolour drawing by Victor Venner, ca. 1895; produced for Ernest Nister.
Physical description
Watercolour drawing on stiff card depicting a scene from Jack and the Beanstalk. Jack sits stroking a hen at a table. Behind him on the wall is a portrait of the giant, and a set of weapons including a shield, axe and spear. Mounted on card.
Dimensions
  • Mount height: 410mm
  • Mount width: 315mm
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', 'XVI', '2826' and '9'
  • Inscribed in ink on verso: 'V. Venner'
  • Partial white and blue label on verso, partially inscribed '2829'
Credit line
Donated by Anne Renier and F.G. Renier.
Object history
Drawn by Victor Venner ca. 1895 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, Lizzie Lawson, Harriett M. Bennett, Edith A. Cubitt and Rosa Petherick.

This illustration by Victor Venner was published by Ernest Nister in Jack and the Beanstalk (ca.1895), with the title, 'Jack and the little brown hen'.
Other number
Nister - Previous Renier Collection pressmark
Collection
Library number
RENIER.373

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Record createdMarch 11, 2008
Record URL
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