'Pussy stirring the Christmas pudding' thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

'Pussy stirring the Christmas pudding'

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 appears alongside verses entitled 'A Stirring Matter' by Constance M. Lowe in Bright Eyes Story Book (no. 2275), published in London by Ernest Nister and in New York by E.P. Dutton & Co., ca.1900.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • 'Pussy stirring the Christmas pudding' (manufacturer's title)
  • A stirring matter' (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Pen and ink and watercolour on card
Brief description
Watercolour drawing by Rosa C. Petherick, ca.1900; commissioned by Ernest Nister.
Physical description
Pen and ink and watercolour drawing on stiff card of a kitchen scene. A little girl wearing red and white holds a black cat over a bowl of pudding mixture and holds a spoon in its paw. Beside her a baby girl stands with a doll in her right hand. A kitten climbs the leg of a green stool on which the bowl is sitting. The cook watches on the right of the drawing. There is a partial view of a table on the right of the drawing on which sits a teacup and saucer. A picture of Father Christmas hangs on the wall behind, framed with holly, and there is a partial view of a dresser on the left of the drawing, with cups and plates on it. With red clay floor tiles. Mounted on card.
Dimensions
  • Mount height: 363mm
  • Mount width: 305mm
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • Monogram of the artist in bottom left corner
  • 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', 'XXXII', '1102' and '25'
  • Ink stamp on verso reads: 'Ernest Nister / Order no. 42085a/17'
  • Inscription in pencil on verso reads: 'Miss R.C. Petherick / Havelock Rd. / Croydon'
  • Partial view of paper manufacturer's stamp
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 appears alongside verses entitled 'A Stirring Matter' by Constance M. Lowe in Bright Eyes Story Book (no. 2275), published in London by Ernest Nister and in New York by E.P. Dutton & Co., ca.1900.
Other numbers
  • Ren. Drawers 1.B - Previous Renier Collection pressmark
  • R(Z)286 - Previous National Art Library accession number
Collection
Library number
RENIER.390

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Record createdMarch 19, 2008
Record URL
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