For David
Artwork by Arno Kiss
To see more of his work visit his website at Arno Kiss – Illustrator & DesignerArno Kiss – Illustrator & Designer (arno-kiss.com)
Modern Classics that Need More Illustrators:
The Sword in The Stone
“The best thing for disturbances of the spirit,” replied Merlyn, “is to learn.
That is the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love and lose your moneys to a monster, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honor trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then-to learn” – T.H. White
VERSIONS – from an illustration perspective
1938 – Original. Illustrated by T.H. White. A later version (1993) is gorgeously illustrated by Dennis Nolan and includes a few of T.H. White’s original drawings, but not many. In 1998, Robert Shadbolt illustrated a paperback version with wonderful black and white chapter headings.
1939 – Revised by T.H. White for US publisher P. Putnam’s Sons. Illustrated by T.H. White with endpapers gorgeously illustrated by Robert Lawson
1958 – Revised again by T.H. White. This is the one usually found combined into The Once and Future King. The Folio Society produced a gorgeous volume of The Once and Future King in 2003 with the 1958 version of The Sword in the Stone, adorned with illustrations by John Lawrence.
At present, and in my opinion, the best way to read this book if reading to younger (age 6-14) children is to read White’s 1939 revised version, while keeping the version illustrated by Dennis Nolan handy. (That’s the way I did it!)
Why?
Ok I will explain…but bear with me.
T.H. White wrote The Sword in the Stone in 1938, and Chapters 10, 11 and 12 feature creatures called Anthropophagi and Sciopods, humanoid creatures, one of which the Wart shoots with his arrow. Yes, not especially savory.
For the US version, White revised those chapters and substituted the humanoid creatures with Morgan le Fey and griffins (so the Wart shoots a griffin), which I think are much cooler!
About 20 years later, in 1958, he revised his original text yet again, removing some really cool parts like the fight between Madame Mim and Merlin (my son LOVED that part), the Wart becoming a snake and learning about the history of reptiles, the Wart turning into an Owl and meeting the goddess Athene and more. You don’t want to read that version…it’s missing some of the best stuff!
Unfortunately, I cannot find a single illustrated version of the 1939 Putnam publication, other than the one containing White’s cartoon-like drawings (which are wonderful by the way) and endpapers designed by Robert Lawson (also wonderful!).
Here is where you can get the two above versions:
I think that The Sword in the Stone needs some lavish illustration to make it easier to interpret and to read to children, (and I would love it to be the 1939 version he revised for the US!) I also think it would be an illustrator’s paradise! So many cool scenes to imagine!
So I do this thing for fun: I like to fantasize about which illustrators would make the coolest versions!
Arno Kiss's artwork above would make fantastic cover art for a version containing only T.H. White's drawings. However, If I had to choose an artist for interior illustrations, I would definitely go with Sara Ogilvie.
My first instinct was Chris Riddell. However, he just illustrated Kevin Crossley-Holland’s Arthur: The Always King and so I decided to challenge myself to find another illustrator. After searching for quite some time, I pulled out my Folio Society The Hundred and One Dalmatians illustrated by Sara Ogilvie, and it just jumped out at me: I had found my dream illustrator for The Sword in the Stone! Her style, (which can be seen in the pictures below), is a lot like T.H. White’s original drawings, in the sense that it matches his humor so well. I can totally see her gracefully incorporating White’s anachronistic moments in her art. Her animals, (of which there are many in this story), are well animated with a keen sense of character. Perfect, for a story where animals so often take on the vital role of educating a future king.
Sara Ogilvie has illustrated many children’s books, including The Folio Society’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It is no longer on the Folio Society’s website; however, I have pictured it here (scroll down to the “For the Collector” section).
I have added a few illustrations below that made me think of moments from The Sword in the Stone!
I would never have figured out what was happening with all the different versions if it wasnt for this post from a fellow blogger! Please visit the link below for more detailed information:
I hope you have enjoyed this "Needs More Illustrators segment! If you have another illustrator in mind for The Sword in the Stone, leave a comment in the comment section below!
Newsletter
This post is dedicated to my cousin David…who wished to become a tree.
This blog would not exist without you. I will miss you very, very much.
Beautifully written, dear Heather! I’m sure your cousin is VERY proud of you and your blog, as am I! Never stop believing in yourself!
Thank you so much Nancy!