Valediction 28: Jean-Pierre
Brian Alderson is presenting his unique collection of children’s books to Seven Stories and Newcastle University. Among the books he is passing on, is Jean-Pierre, Ursula Moray Williams’ first book.
Jean-Pierre was the first book of Ursula Moray Williams who was the niece of Sir Stanley Unwin. She was brought up with her twin sister in an ancient house near Southampton and spent much of her life near Bredon. Her twin sister, Barbara, was also an artist but married an Icelander and illustrated Icelandic Folk Tales. Ursula published over seventy books, including several early books for Brownies and Guides, often with silhouette illustrations; one of the most famous being The Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse which was illustrated by Joyce Lankaster Brisley of Milly-Molly-Mandy fame.
Williams’ archive is housed at Seven Stories at Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Brian Alderson is a long-time and much-valued contributor to Books for Keeps, founder of the Children’s Books History Society and a former Children’s Books Editor for The Times. His most recent book The 100 Best Children’s Books is published by Galileo Publishing, 978-1903385982, £14.99 hbk.
Biblio:
Ursula Moray Williams. Jean-Pierre central silhouette drawing. London A & C Black Ltd. 197 x 138 mm. 32pp + 4 colour plates. [1] Half title [2] Foreign editions [3-4] Blank and colour frontispiece [5] Title page as above [6] Date Autumn 1931 [7] Dedication “To My Twin”.
[8] Silhouette of Chamois [9] List of Plates [10] Blank. 9-32 Verses with silhouette drawings and verses by the author + 3 colour plates with blanks. Blue cloth over boards with title and silhouette to front. DJ using 4th plate to front. Publishers advert to rear. Inner flap note and price 2/6d. Inner free end papers blank. The first with a ms inscription.
