Friday, 6 May 2011

Marjorie Torrey Illustrator of Alice in Wonderland

Amongst our newly acquired books is a beautiful edition of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland with illustrations by Marjorie Torrey.
We hadn't come across Marjorie Torrey before so decided to see what we could find out. It turns out there isn't a great deal of information available - she was born in New York in 1899 but sometime during the 1950s she seems to have quietly left the scene. During her lifetime she illustrated approximately eleven books for children and won Caldecott Honor medals for two books both written by Opal Wheeler, "Sing Mother Goose" (1946) and "Sing in Praise" (1947). She also wrote and illustrated four of her own books (titles unknown) and mystery novels for adults under the name of Torrey Chanslor. It may be that she is better remembered for her mystery novels than for her children's illustrations.



Another of our favourite "Alice" illustrators is G. M. Hudson


A comment left on this blog suggested the third right bottom image (as you look at the post) should be attributed to Margaret Tarrant.  Therefore, we have included this larger image showing the signature of Gwynedd M Hudson. Margaret Tarrant drew a very similar illustration of the white rabbit wearing a pink coat so that might be where the confusion arose.  We always appreciate all comments and will do our best to answer all of them.


Do you have a favourite Alice in Wonderland illustrator?

at 08:57

10 comments:

  1. Kathy28 February 2013 at 02:06

    I was born in 1960 and have an original 1955 copy of Alice in Wonderland illustrated by Marjorie Torrey, which my parents gave to me sometime in the early 60's with my name inscribed by my mother on the inside of the cover in the "This is my book" block. LOVE the illustrations.

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  2. barbaraannefisher28 February 2013 at 09:08

    Hello Kathy, thanks for calling in and taking the time to leave a comment. The inscription from your mother must make it a very special book. I gave away or lost most of the books I had as a child and have spent the last 40+ years trying to find them again! I've managed to replace many of them but am yet to find one with an inscription from a family member. I agree with you about the illustrations, they are absolutely beautiful.

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  3. Tazas y Cuentos21 September 2013 at 04:27

    I love Marjorie Torrey's version and fortunately have found one some time ago. I was so excited!

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    1. Barbara21 September 2013 at 19:55

      I can understand your excitement. It is one of my favourite Alice books. The illustrations are just so pretty.

      Delete
  4. Cherrimae26 March 2015 at 18:41

    I think the third right bottom is rightfully attributed to Margaret Winifred Tarrant

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    1. Barbara26 March 2015 at 19:09

      Hello Cherrimae, Margaret Tarrant certainly drew the white rabbit wearing a pink coat but the image (third right bottom – as you look at the post) is actually signed by Gwynedd M Hudson, I will include a larger image at the end of the post so you can see the signature. Thanks for calling in and leaving a comment, Barbara

      Delete
  5. Kokila gupta5 May 2015 at 09:13

    The imagination of writers, then illustrators put robes on those elusive figments ... and that's how they define the thinking of a whole generation /s ..
    beautiful illustrations for a wonderful story .Both illustrators deserve accolades for their work ...

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    Replies
    1. Barbara6 May 2015 at 06:19

      I completely agree Kokila. Thank you for coming to visit this the earliest of my posts. xx

      Delete
  6. MarkEthan22 August 2021 at 01:16

    She was born in 1888 and her son in 1912. She had two daughters with first husband. She was an avid life long “Socialist” and what we’d call today a human rights advocate. A detailed account of her life is found Online at: http://junglefrolics.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-mystery-of-marjorie-torrey.html?m=1

    Mark Allen
    Upland CA
    Markeallen63@outlook.com

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  7. Barbara8 September 2021 at 07:17

    Thank you Mark.

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx

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