Rip Van Winkle, Illustrated by Alan Wright

July 05, 2025 • Leave a Comment

Rip Van Winkle, as illustrated by Alan Wright, was published in 1921 by the firm of Thomas, Nelson and Sons, Ltd. The 64-page book contains 11 full-page line illustrations plus the cover art. Illustrations included:

Rip and his dog, Wolf
A troop of children hanging on to his coat-tails
Running like a wild colt at his mother's heels
They sat there in the shade throughout a long, lazy, summer's day
He saw a strange figure toiling up the rocks
A company of odd-looking people playing at nine-pins
He rubbed his eyes and looked about him
A troop of children ran at his heels, hooting after him
What brought him to the election with a gun over his shoulder
She had a chubby child in her arms
He used to tell his story to every stranger

Alan Wright (1864-1959) was a well-regarded painter, postcard designer, children’s writer and illustrator. He was born on September 30, 1864, the son of William Arthur Wright and Emily (Broad) Wright. Wright was raised near Chard, in Somerset, before moving with his family to Hampstead, in London. He attended the St. John’s Wood School of Art in north London.

Wright was a prolific illustrator throughout his career, with his work appearing in many books. In addition to Rip Van Winkle (1921), other books illustrated by Wright include Queen Victoria’s Dolls (1894); The Wallypug in London (1898); Adventures in Wallypug Land (1898); The Little Panjandrum’s Dodo (1899); The Mandarin’s Kite (1900); The New Panjandrum (1902); Baker Minor and the Dragon (1902); In Search of the Wallypug (1903); The Cinematograph Train (1904); Professor Philanderpan (1904); The Wallypug Birthday Book (1904); The Wallypug in Fogland (1904); The Wallypug in the Moon (1905); Rural Life in England (1907); The Life of Queen Victoria (1910); Bingo and Babs (1919); Mrs. Bunnykins’ Busy Day (1919); Mrs. Bunnykins Builds an Igloo (1920); Tony Twiddler, His Tale (1920); The Enchanted Doll (1921); The Story of the Saucy Squirrel (1924); The Wonderful Tale of the Trail of Snail (1924); The Book of Baby Birds (1933); Mr. Toad Goes to Sea (1940); among many others.

Wright’s work was featured in a variety of periodicals as well, including Atalanta; The Dome; The Girl’s Own Paper; The Idler; The Pall Mall Magazine; The Parade; The Strand Magazine; The Sunday Pictorial; The Wide World Magazine; and The Windmill.

Wright’s work was described as being “in the style of the woodcut with strong Celtic and Gothic emphasis, he also made designs for eastern subjects.” Wright’s signature on his works was typically a small device resembling a fly or a beetle, but examined closely it will be seen to contain an A and W.

In 1912, Wright married Anne Anderson (1874-1952), a well-regarded Scottish illustrator known for her work in children’s books. Wright was a frequent collaborator with his wife, sometimes even working on the same drawings, that they signed jointly. Collaborative books illustrated by both Wright and Anderson include The Busy Bunny Book (1916); Two Bold Sportsmen (1918); The Naughty Neddy (1918); Sing-Song Stories (1922); The Cuddly Kitten and the Busy Bunny (1926); The Podgy Puppy (1927); among others.

Later in his career, Wright created hunting and coaching scenes for calendars and greeting cards.

Rip Van Winkle, Illustrated by Alan Wright