Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Many Illustrators of Anna Sewell's Black Beauty

I don't know how many different artists have illustrated a version of Black Beauty since it was first published in 1877. It may be the children's book with the most editions. I have read that the Bible is the only book that has sold more copies. It's popularity is a testament not only to the quality of the book, but also to the scores of animal lovers in the world. Anna Sewell told a story that needed to be told -- after all the centuries of servitude the horse has given mankind. It lives on today as a reminder to be kind to all living beings.
Every time I see a version of Black Beauty at a book sale, I buy it. Here are some interpretations:

Perhaps my favorite Black Beauty, by Wesley Dennis. Very soft, fluid. The perfect illustration for the narrative, "I remember a large pleasant meadow."

horses 11-2 076

The Walter Seaton Black Beauty, nice.

bb walter seaton

Cute Black Beauty art for young readers -- Wonder Book's BB with a little girl by George Santos

bb wonder book

Samuel Lowe's BB with a boy by George Pollard

bb georg pollard samuel lowe

Distinctive style of Fritz Eichenberg

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And a "modern times" black Beauty by Susan Jeffers. Love her dreamy style, lots of attention to surrounding details. Nice lines.

bb susan jeffers
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5 comments:

  1. indianmoonJune 6, 2018 at 10:02 AM

    This was very interesting to read, thank you

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  2. RobinClayDecember 30, 2018 at 4:37 PM

    I wonder if you might be able to list the various editions and their illustrators ? I have heard that one such lived in Hampshire, circa 1920? and she used as a model "Black Prince", a cavalry charger given to Sir Robert Baden-Powell, a near neighbour of hers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RobinClayDecember 30, 2018 at 4:55 PM

      Dunno WHY it says "Unknown" - it's ME Robin Clay ! I'll try again...

      Ha ! "An error occurred while contacting the server."

      Delete
  3. UnknownMarch 1, 2020 at 8:37 PM

    If you were able to find a listing of illustrators please let me know. I had the MOST beautiful book(it was almost like a old big "golden book", but it was just beautiful. It had a gold cover and was a larger book. I have looked for it for years. It would have been illustrated I think in the 1950's. Thank you.

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    1. BeverlyAugust 13, 2021 at 1:12 PM

      You may be thinking of 1952 Scribners version, text adapted for younger children by Paul Brown, with his illustrations throughout. Beautifully done, but quite expensive, when it can be found.

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