Not currently on display at the V&A

Wee Willie Winkie

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
Title<u>Wee Willie Winkie</u> (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour on card
Brief description
Watercolour drawing by E. Heatly, ca.1900; commissioned by Ernest Nister.
Physical description
Watercolour drawing on card of Wee Willie Winkie in a white nightgown and nightcap running with a candlestick. Mounted on card.
Dimensions
  • Mount height: 252mm
  • Mount width: 233mm
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • Bookplate on verso reads: 'From the Library of Anne Renier and F.G. Renier'
  • Initialled in pencil by Anne Renier on verso: 'AR'
  • Inscribed in blue crayon on verso: '12/12' and '36'
  • Inscribed in pencil on verso: 'E Heatly'
  • Inscribed in ink on verso: 'XVI'
  • White and blue label on verso, inscribed in ink '3336'
Credit line
Donated by Anne Renier and F.G. Renier.
Object history
Drawn by E. Heatly 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, Harriett M. Bennett, Edith A. Cubitt and Rosa Petherick.
Other numbers
  • Ren. Planchest A - Previous Renier Collection pressmark
  • R(Z)211 - Previous National Art Library pressmark
  • Ren.42.W.1(ii) - Previous Renier Collection pressmark
Collection
Library number
RENIER.386

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Record createdMarch 19, 2008
Record URL
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