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Alexander the Circus Pony

Print
ca. 1943 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This book was written and designed by Phyllis Ginger (1907-2005). It is a children's story, ‘Alexander, the Circus Pony’, and was the artist's first commission from Puffin books where the whole book, story and illustrations were made by her. Published in 1943, the book was reprinted many times. It shows the artist's lively but meticulous watercolour style and combines her skill at topography and figure drawing. Though best known as a topographical watercolour artist, whose skill led to her contribution to Pilgrim Trust’s ‘Recording Britain’ project, Ginger's first ambition was to become an illustrator. Her style often includes distinctive and lively sketches of people and street scenes, and can be seen in book covers for publishers such as Puffin, JM Dent and the magazine Harper's Bazaar, as well as pictorial advertisements. Ginger illustrated another children's story to feature a horse a few years later, 'The Mushroom Pony', written by Joan Lamburn.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 16 parts.

  • Print
  • Print
  • Print
  • Print
  • Print
  • Print
  • Print
  • Print
  • Print
  • Print
  • Print
  • Print
  • Print
  • Print
  • Print
  • Print
TitleAlexander the Circus Pony (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Offset lithograph on paper
Brief description
Alexander the Circus Pony, Puffin Picture Book, illustrated by Phyllis Ginger; England, ca. 1943.
Physical description
Illustrated book with paper cover about a circus pony. Each page, except for the inside front cover, is illustrated with at least one image, with some images spreading across double-page join. Pages alternate between colour and black and white. A broad palette is used, including pinks, purples, blues, greens, yellows and oranges, with the pony and occasional details always in black and white, even on colour pages. The illustrations were drawn directly onto the lithograph stone in a sketchbook drawn style. Studies for parts of this book are at E.295-2007 to E.297-2007 and E.294:1-15-2007. A proof of one of page 8-9 is at E.300-2007.
Dimensions
  • Height: 18.1cm
  • Closed width: 22.1cm
  • Open width: 44.2cm
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given by Paul Durbin and Eleanor Durbin
Subjects depicted
Summary
This book was written and designed by Phyllis Ginger (1907-2005). It is a children's story, ‘Alexander, the Circus Pony’, and was the artist's first commission from Puffin books where the whole book, story and illustrations were made by her. Published in 1943, the book was reprinted many times. It shows the artist's lively but meticulous watercolour style and combines her skill at topography and figure drawing. Though best known as a topographical watercolour artist, whose skill led to her contribution to Pilgrim Trust’s ‘Recording Britain’ project, Ginger's first ambition was to become an illustrator. Her style often includes distinctive and lively sketches of people and street scenes, and can be seen in book covers for publishers such as Puffin, JM Dent and the magazine Harper's Bazaar, as well as pictorial advertisements. Ginger illustrated another children's story to feature a horse a few years later, 'The Mushroom Pony', written by Joan Lamburn.
Other number
24 - Book Number
Collection
Accession number
E.299:1 to 16-2007

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Record createdJuly 15, 2008
Record URL
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