Watercolour sketch created for publication in a magazine/newspaper, probably The Penny Illustrated Paper. The illustration has is not signed or dated but it likely to be from the early twentieth century. It is captioned 'The New Niagra Rapids at the Crystal Palace'. Given by Sir William Ingram, 1914

Watercolour sketch created for publication in a magazine/newspaper, probably The Penny Illustrated Paper. The illustration is not signed or dated but the style of dress depicted in the image corresponds to the fashions worn in the early twentieth century. The image is captioned 'The New Niagra Rapids at the Crystal Palace' and shows men and women grouped around a wide river and riding down a water slide.

Given by Sir William Ingram

Sir William Ingram (27 October 1847 – 18 December 1924) was a Liberal politician who was elected to, and sat in, the House of Commons on three occasions between 1878 and 1895. He was also the Managing Director of The Illustrated London News from the late 1870s until 1900 and became the proprietor of a number of additional publications including The Sketch and The English Illustrated Magazine.

The Illustrated London News was the world's first illustrated weekly newspaper. Founded by Sir William Ingram’s father, Herbert Ingram, in 1842 the first edition was sold on 14th May 1842 at a cost of sixpence per copy. Building from an original circulation of 26,000 to in excess of 300,000 at its peak, The Illustrated London News remained in print until 2003 and commissioned illustrations from many of the leading artists of the late 19th century. Photographs were used alongside illustrations from the late 19th century onwards but illustrations were a major feature of paper until after the end of First World War.

Watercolour sketch created for publication in a magazine/newspaper, probably The Penny Illustrated Paper. The illustration is not signed or dated but the style of dress depicted in the image corresponds to the fashions worn in the early twentieth century. The image is captioned 'The New Niagra Rapids at the Crystal Palace' and shows men and women grouped around a wide river and riding down a water slide.

This item is one of several drawings from a collection of sketches commissioned from contemporary artists to be printed in illustrated magazines. The collection was donated to the museum by Sir William James Ingram in 1914.

S.309-2012