Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Enid used many illustrators in her books. Discuss them here.
User avatar
pete9012S
Posts: 17568
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
Location: UK

Re: Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Post by pete9012S »

Superb that Tony.Thank you.
Wonder were he got it from.
If cash was available I would go up to around £250-300....
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

Society Member
User avatar
Anita Bensoussane
Forum Administrator
Posts: 26768
Joined: 30 Jan 2005, 23:25
Favourite book/series: Adventure series, Six Cousins books, Six Bad Boys
Favourite character: Jack Trent, Fatty and Elizabeth Allen
Location: UK

Re: Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

Tony Summerfield wrote:Here is something to make your mouth water, Pete. Original Maxey (??) artwork, with the actual cover underneath. I was asked to make an offer for this but it was apparently less than he had paid for it. I did go back to him but I heard no more from him. Sorry about the picture but it was what I was sent.

Image
Image

It measures 50cms X 30cms, so it is quite large, but I feel that the top had some later alteration.
A truly striking piece of artwork! Thanks, Tony - it's fascinating to see it.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.

"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.


Society Member
User avatar
Carlotta King
Posts: 2828
Joined: 15 Mar 2013, 19:01
Favourite book/series: Adventure, Barney, Secret Series, Famous Five
Favourite character: Bill Smugs,Lucy-Ann,Snubby,Mr King,Diana,Kiki,Paul
Location: England

Re: Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Post by Carlotta King »

The child on the left (not sure if it's meant to be George, Jo or Dick!!!) looks so much like Jemima Rooper!
"Fussy Gussy! Polly, Polly, Polly-gize!"

Society Member
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Post by Rob Houghton »

I think that original artwork really does prove how good an artist Betty Maxey was. Most of us base our evaluation on her line drawings, but her paintings were very accomplished. 8)
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



Society Member
User avatar
pete9012S
Posts: 17568
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
Location: UK

Re: Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Post by pete9012S »

You speak well Rob,but I fear the diehards will never accept that!!! :D :D :D
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

Society Member
Tony Summerfield
Posts: 6386
Joined: 26 Dec 2004, 12:20

Re: Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Post by Tony Summerfield »

I think one of the problems with artwork like this is that we don't know for sure if it was by Betty Maxey, there is nothing on the front or back to help with this. It is certainly original artwork as it is initialled with the words, 'checked with text' 7.3.68 and then OK EW (Eric Wharmby the boss), £12 2s 6d -'area to be used for to be decided'. It is also quite clear if you look at the finished product that the artwork had further work done on it before it was used.

A few weeks ago I bought some original Blyton artwork on Ebay. This is about the same size and was done for a hardback with the artist definitely known, Joyce A. Johnson. She was an important Blyton illustrator as she did a huge amount of work for Blyton, especially in the magazines, but she was also the illustrator for the first edition of The Three Golliwogs. The starting price was £75 and with just one other bidder I bought it for £77, although I had put in more than this. I took advice on the Maxey (?) artwork and also seeing that it had slight damage at the bottom and was also clearly worked on further, I offered £100 for it (which was more than I was advised to!). It was rejected, but I would have thought your estimate, Pete, would have been snapped up! Below is the artwork that I bought.
Image
User avatar
Moonraker
Posts: 22387
Joined: 31 Jan 2005, 19:15
Location: Wiltshire, England
Contact:

Re: Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Post by Moonraker »

What delightful artwork, Tony. That's what I call a good cover! I did like the cover illustration for Five Have a Wonderful Time, but before I change my opinion of Maxey and whoop with delight, I would need proof that it was done by her.
Society Member
User avatar
pete9012S
Posts: 17568
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
Location: UK

Re: Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Post by pete9012S »

Thank you for that information Tony.

My estimate reflects as Julie says what the artwork means to me,plus the fact that in my lifetime it is the only piece of work (most likely)by her that has ever (and may be) made available.
I don't know if any other work will ever come along,so that influenced the price I would be prepared to pay.

If all the cover art to the Knight 1960's & 70's editions was not by Betty Maxey then surely the real artist would have become known by now?
It's not in the mists of time like the artwork done for Enid in the 1920's & 30's...


Here's a link to a few emails I shared with a lifelong family friend of Betty & Dale Maxey for any of those that would like to learn a little more about her:

http://share.pho.to/9qI53" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

Society Member
User avatar
Julie2owlsdene
Posts: 15244
Joined: 24 Jul 2007, 20:15
Favourite book/series: F.F. and Mystery Series - Five get into Trouble
Favourite character: Dick
Location: Cornwall

Re: Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Post by Julie2owlsdene »

I love the picture you bought, Tony. Well done. The coloured art work is good too, reflects the atmosphere of the fair folk. :)

8)
Julian gave an exclamation and nudged George.
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"

Society Member
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Post by Rob Houghton »

I'm a bit puzzled about the fact people are wondering if the 'Betty Maxey' artwork was really done by her, but that the other cover Tony has posted from 'The Good Morning Book' is verified as being Joyce A Johnson. As far as I can see, neither piece of artwork has been signed, so how do we know the second example really is Joyce Johnson? Maybe it's based on a credit from the original book which used the painting for the cover? Just wondered how we know who definitely painted it??

I can't really see why it would be questioned that Betty Maxey painted the fire-eating picture, except that she isn't credited on the Famous Five covers - but looking at other examples of her work, it's easy to recognise her style. As a dramatic piece of artwork, I think it's superb, whoever painted it!
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



Society Member
User avatar
Daisy
Posts: 16632
Joined: 28 Oct 2006, 22:49
Favourite book/series: Find-Outers, Adventure series.
Location: Stoke-On-Trent, England

Re: Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Post by Daisy »

Tony Summerfield wrote: A few weeks ago I bought some original Blyton artwork on Ebay. This is about the same size and was done for a hardback with the artist definitely known, Joyce A. Johnson. She was an important Blyton illustrator as she did a huge amount of work for Blyton, especially in the magazines, but she was also the illustrator for the first edition of The Three Golliwogs. The starting price was £75 and with just one other bidder I bought it for £77, although I had put in more than this. I took advice on the Maxey (?) artwork and also seeing that it had slight damage at the bottom and was also clearly worked on further, I offered £100 for it (which was more than I was advised to!). It was rejected, but I would have thought your estimate, Pete, would have been snapped up! Below is the artwork that I bought.
I thought I recognised it!

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/foru ... A.+Johnson" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
'Tis loving and giving that makes life worth living.

Society Member
User avatar
Anita Bensoussane
Forum Administrator
Posts: 26768
Joined: 30 Jan 2005, 23:25
Favourite book/series: Adventure series, Six Cousins books, Six Bad Boys
Favourite character: Jack Trent, Fatty and Elizabeth Allen
Location: UK

Re: Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

Thanks for the link to the correspondence, Pete.
Tony Summerfield wrote:I think one of the problems with artwork like this is that we don't know for sure if it was by Betty Maxey, there is nothing on the front or back to help with this. It is certainly original artwork as it is initialled with the words, 'checked with text' 7.3.68 and then OK EW (Eric Wharmby the boss), £12 2s 6d -'area to be used for to be decided'. It is also quite clear if you look at the finished product that the artwork had further work done on it before it was used.
It's very interesting to learn how much the publishers paid for the artwork - £12 2s 6d.
Moonraker wrote:...before I change my opinion of Maxey and whoop with delight, I would need proof that it was done by her.
Robert Houghton wrote:I'm a bit puzzled about the fact people are wondering if the 'Betty Maxey' artwork was really done by her, but that the other cover Tony has posted from 'The Good Morning Book' is verified as being Joyce A Johnson. As far as I can see, neither piece of artwork has been signed, so how do we know the second example really is Joyce Johnson? Maybe it's based on a credit from the original book which used the painting for the cover? Just wondered how we know who definitely painted it??
I expect you're right in suggesting that the cover artist is credited in the book, Robert, though I don't own a copy of The Good Morning Book so I can't check.
Robert Houghton wrote:I can't really see why it would be questioned that Betty Maxey painted the fire-eating picture, except that she isn't credited on the Famous Five covers - but looking at other examples of her work, it's easy to recognise her style.
Yes, I agree that it's possible to tell by looking at Betty Maxey's other work. To pick out a few obvious similarities:

- Looking at the cover of Gemma Alone, the shape and features of the girl's face are very much like the shape and features of some of the children's faces in the Five Have a Wonderful Time painting.

- The swirly purple and red-brown colours used for the cover of This Ravaged Heart resemble the swirly purple and red-brown colours of the Five Have a Wonderful Time painting.

- The covers of The Mallen Girl and Five Go to Billycock Hill are similar - e.g. the landscape, leaves and hair.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.

"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.


Society Member
Tony Summerfield
Posts: 6386
Joined: 26 Dec 2004, 12:20

Re: Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Post by Tony Summerfield »

Just clearing up one or two things from the artwork that I bought. The bit on the left is stuck on as this was the spine used on all four books that she illustrated. Two things that might help you understand why I am saying it is definitely by her are if you look in the bottom right hand corner you can see a small 'J', which is something that she used on several bits of her artwork. The other thing, Rob, is that I never state things as fact unless I am sure of it - and I guess it also helps that it says so inside the book!

The Famous Five illustration may well be by Betty Maxey, but there is no definitive proof and any dealer would require some sort of provenance.
User avatar
Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Post by Rob Houghton »

Thanks Tony. :-) I wasn't really doubting it was by Joyce Johnson - as I know you wouldn't say so without proof - but I was just wondering how anyone could tell. Thanks for giving some pointers, such as the small 'J' in the corner, which I hadn't noticed. :-)

I agree that a dealer would definitely want proof that the book cover for 'Wonderful Time' was a Betty Maxey - after all, it could be a copy of the original. I still think it's a great piece of artwork though. :-)
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'

(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)



Society Member
Tony Summerfield
Posts: 6386
Joined: 26 Dec 2004, 12:20

Re: Betty Maxey illustrations (Famous Five)

Post by Tony Summerfield »

I have put an illustration in the next Journal which I am most unsure about - I haven't said anything about it at all as I was waiting for readers' reactions on it. I might then say a bit about it.
Post Reply