Bestall Collection

The Ghost Story by Alfred Bestall
A family sit in the dark by a blazing fire, rigid with fear while listening to a ghost story told by an aged relative. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, the sceptre of a medieval knight

The Last Caravan by A. E. Bestall
A colour illustration by Alfred Bestall showing a fantasy scene where a group of travellers are being spied on from woodland by a centaur and female imps

Eve Before The Fall. By A. E. Bestall
A scene beside a waterfall of four girls in their bathing costumes. The girls are watching the waterfall, prehaps resting after swimming

The Village Pond by A. E. Bestall
A winter scene by Alfred Bestall of people partaking in ice skating on the local pond

In Possession. By A. E. Bestall
Three girls sat on a bank by a stream watching a crab under the water. Alfred Bestall (1892-1986) is best-known as the artist who drew Rupert Bear for thirty years

The Witchs Frolic by Alfred Bestall
The witchs frolic, taking place on Hallowe en, the date when Saman, Lord of Death, called together the spirits of all the wicked dead who in the last twelve months had been condemned to inhabit

A gentleman visitor saying goodbye
A young girl shyly hiding from an eccentric visitor. Date: 1926

The Pirates Cave. By A. E. Bestall
An Illustration of two ladies daring each other to venture into a pirates cave. Alfred Bestall (1892-1986) is best-known as the artist who drew Rupert Bear for thirty years

A Landlady with her a prospective lodger
Seaside Landlady (discussing previous lodger):And to crown it all, she actually wanted to take alf of my lovely pictures down! So I tells er straight, You ain t got no soul for art. I says

Coquette by A. E. Bestall
A colour illustration by Alfred Bestall of a young girl with auburn hair trying to coax a red squirral down from a tree. Alfred Bestall (1892-1986)

The Char-A-Banc. By A. E. Bestall
A fantasy scene showing two fairies hiding beside a waterfall. They cower from the humans looking from real world above. Alfred Bestall (1892-1986)

A wonderful view
Oh, Harold, how wonderful! And to think we forgot the glasses. " Well, my dear, can t we drink out of the bottles?" A mountaineering couple admire the view at the end of a long climb

The Cuckoo by Alfred Bestall
Series of humorous illustrations showing a young girl, full of energy and optimism as she models her new hiking outfit, and then chatting to neighbours as she passes on her walk

The Crevasse by Alfred Bestall
Illustration by Alfred Bestall showing mountain climbers at the edge of a steep crevasse

A 1930s British film studio by Alfred Bestall
An impression by Alfred Bestall of the making of a close-up in a British film studio in the 1930s. A host of lighting and camera men are focused on a single actress

A scene inside a cafe
Flo: I say, do you believe that awful story about Doris? Elsie: Of course I do- which one? An illustration of two ladies catching up with the gossip inside a cafe

Spring! By A. E. Bestall
A scene of a winter sunset showing an elderly gentleman walking with his granddaughter across a snow covered field. A sprightly fairy is trying to tug the gentleman back

Dress And Fashion Note For Skiiers, by A. E. Bestall
Fashion ideas for the first time skiier. Alfred Bestall (1892-1986) is best-known as the artist who drew Rupert Bear for thirty years

A scene on a bus, by A. E. Bestall
Precocious Boy: Mother, aint we ever going to get out of this damded bus? Mother: Hush, child! How many more times am I to tel you not to use that word

A childs bathtime. By A. E. Bestall
Child (hearing knock at the door): If you come in, Uncle, you must excuse me being all pink! A bathtime scene depicting a mother bathing her young daughter

A bathtime scene, by A. E. Bestall
Small Girl (owner of the teddy bear), after careful inspection of herself after her bath: You know, mummy, God must be magic, Hes made me without a single seam

That is the question! By A. E. Bestall
Small Girl (who has promised to be good in mothers absence): How shall I know if I ve done anything wrong? Mother: The little voice of conscience will tell you, darling

Superstition. By A. E. Bestall
A humorous cartoon showing a young woman driving her uncle through the countyside. She is reassuring her passenger about how safe and experienced she is, not concentrating on the road sign ahead

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