New-York tribune., 1907-12-21
HOLIDAY PICTURES.
Nezo Books by OliUer Herford and
Other CleUer Craftsmen.

Mr. Oliver Herford's satire has never had
keener edge than 1t possesses in its latest mani
festation. Under the title of THE Astonishing
Tale of a Pen -and-Ink Puppet the Genteel
Art Of Illustrating" Charles Scribner's Sons).
he has produced a thin oblong quarto of draw
ings which expose the foibles of the popular
illustrator in general and of Mr.. C. D. Gibson
In particular Every one knows how the pas
sion of the illustrator to be Smart has led
him to the commission OF any number of alb
surdities. His fashionable young and
women have become soulIess types in which sup
posedy distinguished" traits have nothing at
ell distinguished about them. and are. indeed.
representative of no human creature that was
ever seen in the modern world anywhere. Mr..
Herford. caricaturing the manner Of Mr.. Gibson
to perfection has made his figures incredibly
tall. and, to point the jest still further, has put
them together puppets are put together. piece
by piece. He has shown with inimitable drollery
the emptiness Of the sort of drawings he sairizes,
but on the other hand he makes his sketches
brim over with comicaIity. The legend which
faces each drawing adds enormously TO the fun.
Throughout the scheme he adheres closely to
his original. His signature is even scrawled III
such wise as to recall Mr.. Gibson's well known
method of signing his drawings. Yet we should
be surprised If Mr.. Gibson were not the first TO
chucHle over this diabolically clever and ex-
quisitely diverting skit.
The humor in THE Teddyssey" Oife Publish
ing Company another thin quarto. containing
drawings by Mr.. Otho Gushing, consists In the
incongruity Of picturing modern episodes IN
terms OF the antique mode. This craftsman
uses pure line. gives free play In his treatment
OF attitude and facial expression to his mirthful
instinct but preserves always a general effect
OF classical simplicity. The result is an exceed
1.-THE Harrison Fisher Book" (Charies Scrio-
ners Sons) is collection of drawings by
the well known illustrator. some IN colors and
others in black and white. portrait Of him
forms part of the gallery. and Mr. James B
Darlington contributes Introductory paper
outlining Mr Fishers career and sympatheti-
c.rIv discussing his art Mr. Fisher like Mr..
Gibson has often given occasion for just such
criticism as is passed upon the latter in MI
Herford's book but this is not to say that ne,
anv more than Mr. Gibson, Is without merit as a
craftsman and an illustrator of the social spec
tacIe II some of the types In TINS cohecuoh
suggest the pretty girl and her staiwart COM
rade rather as they would ike 10 iooh thdn as
they actually appear, there are others which are
as truthful as they are piquant and graceful
What Mr.. Fisher do when ne draws Win
more thought for nature than for the taste or
the matinee girl Is Clearly Siio"h AZ Se'Si"'
sketches of heads notably of two masculine
tvnes The publishers have done ample justice
to his vivacious drawings. The reproductions
give the very quality Of the originals The
cover of the book, bearing one OF the sketches
printed in colors and title In gold, is unconi-
monty effective.
sour Girls" CMoffat, Yard & Coz is likewise
dedicated 10 the work Of American illustrator.
Mr.. Howard Chandler Christy, but in this case
the drawings are associated with poems in
praise Of the American girl. These are mostly
In sprghtly vein illustrating not only the senti-
ment but the gayety OF latter-day rhyInsters-
Mr. Christy's brisk sketches are reproduced in
colors and in black and white. but not. in either
case with quite the finish required to set off
their sparkling technical qualities to the best
advantage. The poetry throughout is SET within
decorative borders printed in red One Of the
colored illustrations, framed In oval garland.
is placed upon the cover, a dainty scheme in
green white and gold.