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

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

by Caroline G . Bott (Author)

Synopsis

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'. But 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.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
Edition: New
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 18 Oct 2004

ISBN 10: 0747573360
ISBN 13: 9780747573364
Book Overview: A beautiful gift book with colour plate sections With foreword by Sir Paul McCartney Nearly 5,000 copies sold of the original GBP20 hardback edition

Media Reviews
'A fascinating book ... lavishly illustrated ... To all those who were brought up on Rupert - as well as to many with a hankering for a gentler age - this book will be an unexpected pleasure' Daily Mail 'Handsomely illustrated with Bestall's work ... Caroline Bott has done his memory and Rupert's many admirers a huge service' Sunday Herald 'His graphic skills were exceptional; they are most beautifully reproduced in Caroline Bott's book' Simon Callow, Guardian 'This is clearly a labour of love, and it will be welcomed by Rupert fans and those interested in the history of illustration' Irish Times
Author Bio
Caroline Bott is Fred Bestall's god-daughter. She has spent many years researching the life of Fred Bestall, and this is her first book for Bloomsbury. She lives with her husband in Milford, Surrey, where they have a permanent exhibition of Fred Bestall's artwork.