Rip Van Winkle, Illustrated by Donald E. Cooke
The Folio Club of Philadelphia published a beautifully illustrated version of the classic story Rip Van Winkle in 1946. The book includes 12 illustrations, all of them created by Donald E. Cooke (1916-1985), who was an acclaimed artist, author, illustrator, educator, publisher and journalist.
Cooke was born in the Germantown section of Philadelphia on August 5, 1916, the son of Philip Warren Cooke and Halchen (Mohr) Cooke. He studied at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art. Prior to World War II, Cooke worked as an illustration instructor at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art from 1938 to 1940 and as and art director for the David McKay Company from 1940 to 1941.
Cooke served during World War II as a tech sergeant in the US Army in the Information and Education Division. He was mustered into service on February 8, 1941 at Fort Meade, Maryland, and was discharged on February 9, 1945 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was one of the first correspondents for Yank, The Army Weekly, a magazine published by the US Army during World War II.
After World War II, Cooke worked as the art director and managing editor at the John C. Winston Company from 1945 to 1960. Cooke founded, in 1960, his own company called Edraydo Publishers, which later became Haverford House. As a painter, publisher, printer and poet, he wrote more than 30 books and illustrated and designed hundreds of others. He also printed and published books, note cards and limited-edition art prints.
Cooke was an active member of the Philadelphia Book Clinic, the city’s publishing association. In 1985, before his passing, Cooke received the clinic’s “man of the year” award for his more than 40 years of service in the industry. Donald E. Cooke passed away on August 17, 1985 at Bryn Mawr Hospital and is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Rip Van Winkle included one illustration on the cover and 11 additional illustrations within the story. One of the illustrations was oversized, taking up two complete pages. All the illustrations were untitled but corresponded perfectly to various scenes of the story. Using the Rip Van Winkle story line, I have taken the liberty to title each of the illustrations with a passage from the book.
Rip Van Winkle, written by Washington Irving, and illustrated by Donald E. Cooke
Rip Van Winkle, Illustrated by Donald E. CookeTitle: Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving
Illustrated by Donald E. Cooke
Published by The Folio Club, Philadelphia
A Little Village, Of Great Antiquity
A Little Village, Of Great AntiquityTitle: Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving
Illustrated by Donald E. Cooke
Published by The Folio Club, Philadelphia
The Fiery Furnace of Domestic Tribulation
The Fiery Furnace of Domestic TribulationTitle: Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving
Illustrated by Donald E. Cooke
Published by The Folio Club, Philadelphia
Perpetual Club of the Sages, Philosophers and Other Idle Personages of the Village
Perpetual Club of the Sages, Philosophers and Other Idle Personages of the VillageTitle: Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving
Illustrated by Donald E. Cooke
Published by The Folio Club, Philadelphia
He Would Sometimes Seat Himself at the Foot of a Tree
He Would Sometimes Seat Himself at the Foot of a TreeTitle: Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving
Illustrated by Donald E. Cooke
Published by The Folio Club, Philadelphia
He Was Still More Surprised at the Singularity of the Stranger's Appearance
He Was Still More Surprised at the Singularity of the Stranger's AppearanceTitle: Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving
Illustrated by Donald E. Cooke
Published by The Folio Club, Philadelphia
They Clambered Up a Narrow Gully
They Clambered Up a Narrow GullyTitle: Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving
Illustrated by Donald E. Cooke
Published by The Folio Club, Philadelphia
A Company of Odd-Looking Personages Playing at Nine-Pins
A Company of Odd-Looking Personages Playing at Nine-Pins (2)Title: Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving
Illustrated by Donald E. Cooke
Published by The Folio Club, Philadelphia
On Waking, He Found Himself on the Green Knoll
On Waking, He Found Himself on the Green KnollTitle: Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving
Illustrated by Donald E. Cooke
Published by The Folio Club, Philadelphia
He Found the House Gone to Decay
He Found the House Gone to DecayTitle: Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving
Illustrated by Donald E. Cooke
Published by The Folio Club, Philadelphia
He Met a Number of People, But None Whom He Knew
He Met a Number of People, But None Whom He KnewTitle: Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving
Illustrated by Donald E. Cooke
Published by The Folio Club, Philadelphia
Being Arrived At That Happy Age When a Man Can Be Idle With Impunity
Being Arrived At That Happy Age When a Man Can Be Idle With ImpunityTitle: Rip Van Winkle, by Washington Irving
Illustrated by Donald E. Cooke
Published by The Folio Club, Philadelphia
