# English Book-illustration of To-day

> 1903 bibliographic book

**Wikidata**: [Q114079298](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q114079298)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/english-book-illustration-of-to-day

## Summary
*English Book-illustration of To-day* is a 1903 bibliographic book by R. E. D. Sketchley, focusing on the work of contemporary English illustrators. It includes appreciations of their art, lists of their published books, and features a foreword by Alfred William Pollard.

## Key Facts
- **Title:** *English Book-illustration of To-day*
- **Author:** R. E. D. Sketchley
- **Publication Year:** 1903
- **Place of Publication:** London
- **Language:** English
- **Main Subject:** Illustration
- **Foreword Author:** Alfred William Pollard
- **Classification:** Bibliography, literary work
- **HathiTrust ID:** 001167105
- **OCLC Work ID (obsolete):** 1506393
- **Commons Category:** [English Book-illustration of To-day (Sketchley, 1903)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:English_Book-illustration_of_To-day_(Sketchley,_1903))
- **Image:** Title page available at [Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/English_Book_Illustration-1902-13960-006.png)

## FAQs
### **What is the focus of *English Book-illustration of To-day*?**
The book examines the work of living English illustrators, providing critical appreciations and bibliographic lists of their published works.

### **Who wrote the foreword for this book?**
Alfred William Pollard, a notable bibliographer and scholar, contributed the foreword.

### **Where and when was the book published?**
It was published in London in 1903.

### **What type of book is *English Book-illustration of To-day*?**
It is classified as both a bibliography and a literary work, focusing on the study of book illustration.

## Why It Matters
*English Book-illustration of To-day* serves as a historical record of early 20th-century English book illustration, documenting the contributions of contemporary illustrators. By compiling lists of their works and offering critical analysis, the book preserves the artistic and bibliographic legacy of the era. It also reflects the broader cultural and aesthetic trends in illustration during the period, making it a valuable resource for art historians, bibliographers, and collectors.

## Notable For
- **Comprehensive Coverage:** One of the few early 20th-century works dedicated to cataloging and appreciating living English illustrators.
- **Bibliographic Value:** Functions as both a critical study and a reference tool, listing books illustrated by the featured artists.
- **Foreword by a Prominent Scholar:** Alfred William Pollard’s involvement lends academic credibility to the work.
- **Historical Significance:** Captures a snapshot of English illustration at the turn of the century, preserving names and works that might otherwise be overlooked.

## Body
### **Overview and Content**
*English Book-illustration of To-day* is a 1903 publication authored by R. E. D. Sketchley, focusing on the work of contemporary English illustrators. The book combines critical analysis with bibliographic documentation, offering appreciations of illustrators' styles and comprehensive lists of their published works. This dual approach makes it both a scholarly study and a practical reference tool.

### **Publication Details**
- **Author:** R. E. D. Sketchley
- **Title:** *English Book-illustration of To-day: appreciations of the work of living English illustrators, with lists of their books*
- **Publication Date:** 1903
- **Place of Publication:** London
- **Language:** English
- **Foreword:** Written by Alfred William Pollard, a respected bibliographer and scholar.

### **Classification and Subject Matter**
The book is classified as both a **bibliography** and a **literary work**, with its primary subject being **illustration**. It falls under the broader academic discipline of bibliography, which studies books as physical and intellectual objects. The work is cataloged in the **HathiTrust Digital Library** (ID: 001167105) and has an obsolete OCLC Work ID of 1506393.

### **Visual and Digital Presence**
An image of the book’s **title page** is available on Wikimedia Commons, providing a visual reference for researchers and collectors. The Commons category dedicated to the book can be found [here](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:English_Book-illustration_of_To-day_(Sketchley,_1903)).

### **Significance in Bibliographic Studies**
As a bibliographic work, *English Book-illustration of To-day* contributes to the systematic documentation of illustrated books, aligning with the goals of bibliography as an academic discipline. It serves as a historical record of early 20th-century illustration, offering insights into the artistic trends and publishing practices of the time. The inclusion of lists of illustrated books makes it a useful resource for tracking the output of specific artists and the evolution of book design.

### **Related Academic Context**
The book is part of the broader field of **bibliography**, which includes sub-disciplines such as **descriptive bibliography** (focusing on the physical attributes of books) and **textual bibliography** (studying different editions and printings). While *English Book-illustration of To-day* does not delve into these specialized areas, it shares their emphasis on documenting and analyzing books as cultural artifacts.

### **Legacy and Accessibility**
Though not widely cited in modern scholarship, the book remains accessible through digital archives like HathiTrust, ensuring its continued availability for researchers. Its detailed lists of illustrated works provide a foundation for further studies in book history, art history, and bibliographic research. The foreword by Alfred William Pollard, a key figure in bibliography, further enhances its credibility and historical value.