Early illustrators

Arthur Rackham

Fairly considered one of the best Alice illustrators, Arthur Rackham (1867-1939) is on of the most preeminent illustrators ever. Rackham’s Alice was published in 1907, when the original copyright expired and many publishers commissioned new versions of the tale (several other versions were published that year).

“For the next seven years or so I worked as hard as I could out of business hours (9–5) to equip myself as an artist — not being able to embark on a professional career till I was nearly twenty-five, and then for many years getting the barest living from my profession and having to do much distasteful hack work.” – quoted from his biography

arthur rackham cards

“At this the whole pack rose up into the air, and came flying down upon her”

arthur rackham tea party

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Bessie Pease Gutmann

Bessie Pease Gutmann is best remembered for her children paintings. Her Alice illustrations are often included in selections of “the best Alice editions ever”.

More about Bessie Pease

Harry Rountree

“Animals, animals, animals. Books, magazines, annuals. From 1903 to 1942, Rountree’s pens and brushes gave life to every species from dormice to dinosaurs. His 1908 Alice in Wonderland, with 90+ color plates, is considered to be both his masterpiece and one of the definitive versions of the Carroll classic.”

Margaret Tarrant

“From the late 1900s, Margaret Tarrant was preoccupied with chronicling innocent childhood in its many moods and its great variety of activities. From 1920, her talents were channelled by her most important business relationship, with the Medici Society, which still publishes her books, cards and calendars today. Though her approach could seem highly idealised, even romanticised, its success lies in the degree to which it was grounded in close observation and the discipline of drawing from life.”

Alice in Wonderland illustrated by Margaret Tarrant was first published by Ward Lock in 1916.