Postcards From the Nursery: The Illustrators of Children's Books and Postcards (Scrapbook S.) [Hardcover]

Dawn Cope (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2001 | Series: Scrapbook S.

Postcards from the Nursery is a tribute to the legions of children's illustrators - the renowned and the unsung heroines and heroes of children's illustra-tion in the early 20th century - when postcards were an essential communi-cations medium. They, together with mass circulation magzines, provided illustrators with a stepping stone to even greater achievements. Many, like Anne Anderson, Mabel Lucie Attwell, Cicely Mary Barker and Arthur Rackham took that successful step, others never received the accolades they deserved. This book provides a glimpse of how they coped in trying circumstances. The 750 picture postcards contained within display a rich variety of illus-trative styles, covering a period of over 40 years. All the traditional nursery themes imaginable are to be found - including nursery rhymes, fairy tales, fairyland fantasy, games and pastimes and many more. In addition, the history and commercial activities of most of the prominent postcard publishers are discussed. The lives and wor

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: New Cavendish Books Dist (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1872727883
• ISBN-13: 978-1872727882
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 10.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,204,419 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Superb. It is far more than it appears to be., February 9, 2005

By 

Michael Zwerdling (Palm Harbor, FL, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Postcards From the Nursery: The Illustrators of Children's Books and Postcards (Scrapbook S.) (Hardcover)

Many people think that postcards are either views of some hotel or museum reproduction of an old master, or an ad for the local politician or car dealership. As a result, most of them are literally astounded when they see the wealth of photography and art which has adorned the picture postcard since the late 19th century and which is still going strong into the 21st.

There have, in fact, been hundreds of books about postcards, including studies of one artist, studies of one subject such as cats and teddy bears, to name but two, historical events, most notably wars, views of urban or rural areas, and of course books on the art of postcards themselves. Most of these can be purchased from the chain bookstores and from Amazon.com.

However, in my opinion, of all of the available (and no longer available) books, there are only three major works (i.e. a full length 250+ page book) which reflect the full splendor of the postcard and which, if placed on a coffee table or central in-home setting, will continue to delight both occupants and guests. Two of them I have reviewed in their listings on Amazon.com. They are "Art Nouveau Postcards" by Fanelli and Godoli and "Postcards of Nursing: A Worldwide Tribute" by Zwerdling. Both of these books have superb graphics, a surprising range of topic and subject (although if one of them purports to be about nursing, it encompasses much, much more), and the production values are as good as any art book.

The book being reviewed here, "Postcards from the Nursery," is no exception. This book is special. The layout combines the works of the artists with their biographies, and the biographies themselves include photographs which show the artist in his or her heyday as well as later pictures.

The book is more than a book of illustrated fairy tales. It is a book of wonder. Children, will, of course, be delighted in it. Adults will be transported into realms of their own childhood or perhaps an ideal childhood. What may be surprising is that the artists themselves ranged in their own childhoods from privileged happy ones to sad, almost tragic ones....but they all transcended their personal experiences to create images which are universally appealing.

Do yourself, your family and friends a favor. Buy this book and put it in a place where it can be seen.