1919 Selected Edition Ida Rentoul Outhwaite Matted Print "Elves and Fairies" #5

Outhwaite, Ida Rentoul (1888-1960)

Highly popular Australian children's fantasy illustrator who assisted in raising the status of illustration in Australia and the quality of publishing for children.

Born Ida Sherbourne Rentoul on June 9, 1888, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; died in Melbourne on June 25, 1960. Published first illustrated stories (1903); began illustrating for magazines (1903); illustrated first book Mollies Bunyip A.R. and I.S. Rentoul (Melbourne 1904); began exhibiting in Australia (1907).

In September 1916, Ida Rentoul Outhwaite, a 28-year-old illustrator, witnessed the publication of her most ambitious project: Elves and Fairies. The book had been promoted, edited, and largely financed by her husband, the verse written by her sister and, the real draw, the full-page pictures, in watercolor and pen and ink, had been created by Ida. The originals of these pictures were exhibited at a Melbourne gallery and almost all sold in a matter of hours. Separate reproductions were produced and decorated the walls of kindergartens, schools and homes for decades afterwards. The four-colour process used for Elves and Fairies had required the largest outlay known in Australian publishing history, but despite the consequently high price for a children's book, all 1,500 copies were quickly purchased. It was, in short, the most successful Australian art publication to date, much of its success due to timing.

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100% genuine & not a reproduction. The print / bookplate is from the October, 1919 Selected Edition book "Elves and Fairies" by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite, published by Lothian Book Publishing Co Pty Ltd. The print has been matted on acid free white backing ready to frame and in turn sealed in a plastic sleeve for extra protection (Hence the reflections in the photos).


The overall matted size is 42cms x 30cms, the print being 20cms x 14cms. The print is entitled "Sometimes Through the Window Bars, We Sail the Seas of Island Stars". The artists initials I.R.O appear bottom left hand corner. Very nice condition, looks far better than the photos depict. Perfect for a Nursery or Childs bedroom.

Local Brisbane pick-up welcomed. Always happy to combine postage where possible & practical. HNCO are not responsible for import duties or customs charges. This is the buyers / importers responsibility.


_gsrx_vers_1516 (GS 9.3 (1516))