“PUNCH’S” TREASURES

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1930, Page 7

“PUNCH’S” TREASURES

COLLECTION OF DRAWINGS. STUDIES IN CONTRAST. LONDON, June 19. The little hunchback of Louverte Street J:was “at home” this week to celebrate!/nothing in particular, but merely to look over his shoulder in grateful rememberance of four members of the .(“Punch” family who, in their time, did. much to help along the. family fortunes. The visitors were invited to? see a collection of original drawings' by Leech, Keene, Tenniel and Du/Maurier @ work covering almost the entire Victorian era, and incidentally to; see.many other things prized at Mr Punch's headquarters.

The Punch museum carries one back <for .ninety-years. Leech made his appearance in the fourth number and there is one picture with a written com* ment on itHhat tells of the then methods of. work. Tile artist drew a pencil design for the cover of , that famous sporting .book, “Handley Cross.” He was not satisfied with his pencil portrayal of the immortal' Mr Jorrocks, but| he wrote on. the sketch the assurance; “I’ve got him on the wood,” Two or ihl’ee ;,:< examples of drawings on rounds of boxwood done hv Doyle illustrate what.Xeech meant.- The earlier artists''tlremselves;; transferred their drawings, wood. Nowadays the process es 'less laborious. The first, exhibit by Leech is a study Pf ji girl {playing cricket. The poor thing vis'/pictured with'a wasp waist andj crinoline, holding the bat helplessly, feross ways.! There was no indication .eighty years’ ago of the likely development of the modern athletic girl '■ : All - these old drawings provide one with del|f|pus studies in contrast with v conditions, those of the latcfi* .‘Du 'Maurier no less than those of