My first copy of this book was with the Mary Gernat illustrations, which I liked for the quirkiness. Unlike Anita, I actually quite like the rough style...far better than J. Abbey. I now have the original hardback version, but his illustrations have always seemed awkward to me, out of proportion, with large heads and small bodies. He also seemed a lazy illustrator to me, using the same stock image of a character in several illustrations with just minor changes. Often the characters seem to be 'pasted in' to a scene, and dont all seem to be part of the same drawing, as they bear no resemblance to each other in perspective or angle.
My favourite Find Outer illustrator by far is Lilian Buchanan. She has a lightness of touch that is missing in the illustrations of J Abbey and Treyer Evans - although Treyer Evans is my second favourite. J Abbey, in my opinion, was one of Enid's worst illustrators!
The Mystery Of The Pantomime Cat Comparison
- Rob Houghton
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- Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
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Re: The Mystery Of The Pantomime Cat Comparison
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
Society Member
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
Society Member
Re: The Mystery Of The Pantomime Cat Comparison
Worse than Betty Maxey?!J Abbey, in my opinion, was one of Enid's worst illustrators!
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- Rob Houghton
- Posts: 16029
- Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
- Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
- Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
- Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham
Re: The Mystery Of The Pantomime Cat Comparison
...actually I think I DO prefer Betty Maxey...but only just..but then I grew up with the Betty Maxey illustrations and didn't know any better until I was in my 20's! I didn't really count Betty Maxey as being one of the worst of Enid's illustrators because she wasn't an illustrator that Enid actually chose herself.
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
Society Member
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
Society Member
- Anita Bensoussane
- Forum Administrator
- Posts: 26895
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- Favourite book/series: Adventure series, Six Cousins books, Six Bad Boys
- Favourite character: Jack Trent, Fatty and Elizabeth Allen
- Location: UK
Re: The Mystery Of The Pantomime Cat Comparison
Did Enid actually choose her illustrators, or were they normally chosen by the publishers?
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
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"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
- Rob Houghton
- Posts: 16029
- Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
- Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
- Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
- Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham
Re: The Mystery Of The Pantomime Cat Comparison
I'm not totally sure, but was under the impression she at least 'vetted' them before they were used, as I've seen photos of her going through illustrations.
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
Society Member
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
Society Member