The Life and Works of Alfred Bestall: Illustrator of Rupert Bear.

Bott, Caroline G.

ISBN 10: 074756194X / ISBN 13: 9780747561941

Published by Bloomsbury Pub Ltd, 2003

Hardback in black cloth boards, gilt titles, in Fine condition, dustwrapper also in Fine condition. Second printing, pp338, b&w illustrations, foreword by Sir Paul McCartney, The result of many years careful and painstaking research, the author has pieced together the life of her godfather Alfred Bestall, who illustrated Rupert Bear in the "Daily Express" almost uninterruptedly for 30 years. The artwork was bequeathed by Fred Bestall to the author with the words - 'you will probably want to make a bonfire of this' - which would have been a tragedy. Caroline Bott has lovingly collected together and catalogued Fred Bestall's work, which ranges from incisive cartoons for 'Punch' to romantic, dreamy watercolours, as well of course as his Rupert Bear illustrations. Caroline was also bequeathed his diaries, from which, alongside letters, photographs and other archive material, she has drawn together his life. What emerges is a gentle, very generous man, who was loved by all who met him. His diaries include his experiences in the First World War, and his travel diaries include remarkable journeys to Egypt as well as those of his beloved Wales. His fans are as diverse as Sir Paul McCartney (who has written the foreword), Prince Charles, Terry Jones, Terence Stamp, Richard Rogers and Sir Hugh Casson. This is a piece of pure nostalgia and a slice of time gone by that will enchant all those who pick it up. Seller Inventory # 010721

Synopsis:

The result of many years' careful and painstaking research, the author has pieced together the life of her godfather Alfred ('Fred') Bestall, who illustrated Rupert Bear in the Daily Express for thirty years (the only day he missed was to make way for Churchill's war speech). The artwork and his diaries were bequeathed by Fred Bestall to the author with the words 'you will probably want to make a bonfire of this' - which would have been a tragedy. Caroline Bott has lovingly collected Bestall's work, ranging from incisive cartoons for Punch to romantic, dreamy watercolours, and of course his Rupert Bear illustrations, with his war-time diaries to paint a remarkable picture of a gentle, very generous man, who was loved by all who met him.

From the Publisher: Alfred Bestall was an artist of enormous breadth and talent. As well as his celebrated Rupert Bear stories, his work ranged from cartoons for PUNCH to romantic, dreamy watercolors for THE TATLER. Caroline Bott spent years researching the life of her godfather, drawing on his diaries, sketchbooks, letters, and photos, all of which were bequeathed to her. In recounting his experiences in World War I and his remarkable travels to Egypt and the Middle East, the man who emerges is gentle, generous, and loved by all who met him. Abundantly illustrated with Bestall’s work, this book is an enchanting piece of pure nostalgia and a slice of time gone by.

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Life and Works of Alfred Bestall: ...
Publisher: Bloomsbury Pub Ltd
Publication Date: 2003
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Fine
Dust Jacket Condition: Fine