The Enid Blyton Society

This is an interesting article in the Guardian.

Jennifer Nash celebrating her 103rd birthday. It says she illustrated for Enid Blyton.

I haven't come across her name before. Tony do you know where her illustrations appeared?

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news ... dbag_cake/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

cheer Sue

Quite annoying to have an article about an illustrator that doesn't show any of her illustrations!

I can confidently say that there is no Blyton illustrator with the name Jennifer Nash. It is however possible that she illustrated under her maiden name, so I checked through my list of illustrators and there are just two who might fit the first name. Jennifer Rickard, who was illustrating Sunny Stories in the early 1930s, but no books and much later Jenny Chapple who was doing illustrations for the paperbacks in the 1970s and 80s.

More info,but does it help us with the Enid Blyton connection?

Today, Lily has been celebrating her birthday with another special lady - 100 year old - Jennifer Nash who worked as an illustrator for Enid Blyton. Martin Dowse reports.

https://vimeo.com/47040105" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also:

This Jennifer Nash aged 103 is also claimed to be an ex Enid Blyton illustrator...I'm confused...

A retired illustrator of Enid Blyton books has celebrated her 103rd birthday in a Wimbledon Village care home.

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news ... dbag_cake/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tony Summerfield wrote:I can confidently say that there is no Blyton illustrator with the name Jennifer Nash. It is however possible that she illustrated under her maiden name, so I checked through my list of illustrators and there are just two who might fit the first name. Jennifer Rickard, who was illustrating Sunny Stories in the early 1930s, but no books and much later Jenny Chapple who was doing illustrations for the paperbacks in the 1970s and 80s.

Tony you've hit the nail on the head. Jennifer was born in 1912 and I have found this entry on the internet:

RICKARD Jennifer Margaret b. 1912
Painter and illustrator, born in Middlesex, she attended Harrow School of Art, 1928-30.

Pete, Jennifer celebrated 103 this year, the other internet entry was when she turned 100. An amazing lady who appears to be doing very well for 103. And as she continues to bring up the fact that she did illustrations for Enid Blyton in her early years she is obviously thrilled about this and what a lovely memory to have.

Enid certainly provided work for many many artists during her time, its not often there is any acknowledgement of the amount of employment she actually created with her amazing output.

cheers
Sue

Very interesting. Thanks for the further information, Tony and Sue! Yes, it's lovely that Jennifer Nash still feels delighted to have illustrated some of Enid Blyton's stories in the 1930s.

Thanks for solving the mystery Sue.I'd never make a real detective!

Is there an example of some of her artwork in the cave?

Great detective work, Sue. Maybe that's why the article didn't name any specific books/stories but just said that she "illustrated for Enid Blyton" — many people today, apart from serious Blyton fans and those who were around in the 1930s, wouldn't have heard of Sunny Stories. I agree, that's wonderful that she's not only reached such a great age and is still doing well, but is obviously proud to have worked for Enid!

Good Work, Sue! I have been checking through and she produced a number of cover illustrations for both Sunny Stories for Little Folks and Sunny Stories. She also provided a number of internal line drawings. The earliest cover I can find in in February 1934 and the latest in November 1939. The cover below comes from September 1939.

Thanks Tony, it is nice to see her illustrations. She was in her 20s when she did these illustrations. They are appropriate to their period.

It not surprising many young women today to not change their name when they marry as it is easy for women to not be recognised for their early achievements when their name changes.

cheers
Sue

Thanks, Tony. I like the way the Sunny Stories covers were done in tones of red and blue.

She wasn't quite such an accomplished illustrator as some of the more regular contributors, but I like her simple style a lot.

Just noticed she lived a very long life and passed away aged 104:

It's interesting that Jennifer Nash and Rene Cloke both lived in Wimbledon.

Anita Bensoussane wrote: ↑25 Feb 2024, 20:13 It's interesting that Jennifer Nash and Rene Cloke both lived in Wimbledon.

Wasn't it common?