English illustrator (1862–1935) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Walter Stanley Paget (26 January 1862–29 January 1935)[note 1] was an English illustrator of the late 19th and early 20th century, who signed his work as "Wal Paget". Paget held a gold medal from the Royal Academy of Arts,[2] and was the youngest of three brothers, Henry M. Paget (eldest) and Sidney Paget (middle brother), all illustrators.
Fockbury, a small hamlet near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England
Nationality
English
Othernames
Wal Paget
Occupation
Illustrator
Yearsactive
1882–1933
Knownfor
The illustration of Henty's first ten juvenile novels
Notable work
120 illustrations for Cassell's Fine Art edition of Robinson Crusoe
Close
Paget was the original choice of publisher George Newnes to illustrate Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories in The Strand Magazine, but through a misunderstanding the commission went to his brother, Sidney.[3] When Sidney came to draw Sherlock Holmes, he is said to have used Paget as his model.[4]
Arthur O. Cooke (1867–1932), a prolific author of books for children, especially non-fiction, on nature, geography, history etc.[11]
E. E. Cowper (c. 1859–1933), Edith Eliza Cowper, a prolific English author of juvenile fiction, much of which was published by the SPCK, who had ten children by Frank Cowper, yachtsman and author, from whom she separated shortly after the last of her children was born.[note 3]
H. B. Davidson (1898–1998), Helene Beatrice Davidson, who wrote over two dozen books in the 1920s and 1930s, mostly about Girl Guides and Brownies, with a few featuring Boy Scouts.
Evelyn Everett-Green (1856–1932), who moved from pious stories for children, through historical romances, to adult romances under a range of pseudonyms.
George Manville Fenn (1831–1909), a prolific author of fiction for young adults.
G. A. Henty (1832–1902), a prolific writer of boys' adventure fiction, often set in a historical context, who had himself served in the military and been a war correspondent. Paget illustrated the first editions of ten Henty novels between 1893 and 1904.[1]:318
Anna Jameson (1794–1860), Anna Brownell Jameson, an Anglo-Irish art historian and writer on a range of topics.
William Johnston
David Ker (1841–1914), an English journalist, traveller, soldier, and author of juvenile fiction, who based the action in his stories on his own hair-raising experiences.
In late 1890 Cassell's began advertising for a new fine-art edition of Robinson Crusoe illustrated by Paget. It was to be in 13 monthly parts, with a price of six pence each, with the first part available on 18 December 1890.[15] While the original advertisement does not give the number of the illustrations, later advertisements stated that the edition would have upwards of 100 illustrations by Paget.[16] Presumably Paget was still drawing the illustrations as the exact number was not stated.
The work was very well received by reviewers:
"Messrs. Cassell and Co. have just begun the issue in monthly parts of a new fine-art edition of Robinson Crusoe. . . . which has a new set illustrations by Mr. Walter Paget, reproduced by one of the photographic processes which give the artists’ own work in simile. The process work in the first number the new edition is of the very best. . ."–Norwich Mercury[17]
". . . it would be impossible to speak too highly of the illustrations."–Buchan Observer and East Aberdeenshire Advertiser[18]
"The printing and the illustrations, all of which are new, far surpass any former edition."–Dover Express[19]
"The edition, which is being issued in sixpenny parts, is one which may heartily commended, for in it the best literature . . . and the best art are fitly wedded."–Peterhead Sentinel and General Advertiser for Buchan District[20]
"Messrs. Cassell and Co. are now publishing monthly parts a tine-art edition of "Robinson Crusoe." Upwards of one hundred beautiful illustrations, by Mr. Walter Paget, adorn the work. In all probability is the most artistic publication of Defoe's celebrated work that has ever issued from the British press."–Preston Herald[21]
"The great feature of the work, which will be completed in about 13 parts, is the excellence of the original drawings prepared by Mr. Walter Paget expressly to illustrate this new edition. Not only are the drawings admirable works of art, but they faithfully represent the dresses and other characteristics of Crusoe's time. . ."–Salisbury and Winchester Journal[22]
"Cassell's new issue of Robinson Crusoe will for when complete one of the best editions of DeFoe's celegrated story extant. It is beautifully illustrated by Walter Paget."–Monmouthshire Beacon[23]
"Messrs. Cassell's new fine art edition of "Robinson Cruse is nearing completion. Mr Walter Paget's drawings are often very beautiful."–Liverpool Mercury[24]
"Messrs Cassell's idea of issuing a fine-art edition of Robinson Crusoe in monthly numbers was a good one, and in its complete form it makes a very handsome volume. The outstanding feature of the work the large number of beautiful engravings, many of them full-page, with which Walter Pages has illustrated the letterpress. They are admirably drawn and are meritorious works of art."–Dundee Advertiser[25][note 4]
Just as the publication of the fine-art Robinson Crusoe in installments was coming to an end, Cassell's published it as a single volume book. This was equally well received.
"This is a really handsome book.–well printed, brightly bound, and undeniably very happy in its illustrations, which are of good quality as they are numerous. We do not remember to have seen Robinson Crusoe so well treated from a pictorial point of view. Mr. Paget has imagination, and he has style."–The Globe[26]
"The illustration are admirable, and altogether we have no doubt that this is the most handsome edition of Defoe's immortal story ever issued from the press."–Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News[27]
". . . surely no boys ever had a more beautiful or enjoyable edition that the which has been issued by Messrs. Cassell, with illustration by Walter Paget, These are evidently the result of very careful study, but they have what no study only could give, the life and spirit that comes from quick dramatic sympathy. They are of fine-art quality, and are delicately and beautifully executed. Defoe's entrancing story has never appeared in so attractive a guise."–Birmingham Daily Post[28]
". . . to Mr. Walter Paget, whose hundred and twenty drawings have been admirably done. Composition, character, draughtsmanship of both figures and landscape, and even petty details, leave nothing to be desired; the artist, whilst preserving the old traditions respecting Crusoe himself, has given historical accuracy of dress, race, and accessories. . ."–St James's Gazette[29]
Illustrations for Robinson Crusoe
The following illustrations are the fourteen full page illustrations. The book had 120 in total, and many of the others are half-page or larger. All show the same scrupulous care. The book is available on-line at The British Library.[30] The final illustration shown is a cover for the book in installments.[note 5]
Illustration by Walter Paget for fine-art Cassell edition (1891) of Robinson Crusoe – by courtesy of British Library
Page 11
Page 20
Page 35
Page 73
Page 110
Page 145
Page 168
Page 194
Page 241
Page 284
Page 292
Page 332
Page 365
Page 387
Cover for a later reissue of the book in installments
Paget did relatively little work after 1921, illustrating mostly children's books on life in different countries, and then illustrating less than over every two years on average. Paget moved to Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, England. However, it was not there but at Fockbury,[note 6] a small hamlet near Bromsgrove in Worcestershire that he died on 29 January 1935.[31]
While many sources give Paget's year of birth as 1863, Kirkpatrick give his date of birth as 26 January 1862. The 1862 date is supported by registration of his birth in the first quarter of 1862, and his census returns.[1]:318
With thirteen monthly instalments, the last one should have been issued in December, but it is clear from this review that the last installment was issued in November 1891.
This is not the original publication in installments, as it was prices at sixpence and not threepence as in this example, and the total number of illustrations was not known when the first installment was originally published.
Kirkpatrick, Robert J. (2019). The Men Who Drew For Boys (And Girls): 101 Forgotten Illustrators of Children's Books: 1844–1970. London: Robert J. Kirkpatrick.