Edward Linley Sambourne

A real find for me has been the photographs of Edward Linley Sambourne (1844-1910). He was a cartoonist and illustrator who is best known for his work for Punch. Judging by the photos he took of himself he was a bit of a character.

In the latter part of his career, he took up photography as a hobby, but also as a way of gathering references for his illustration work. As well as studio photography, he also photographed people in the street (mostly women and without their knowledge). Living and working in Kensington, a collection of his work is held by Kensington and Chelsea Library .

The image I used for 'Margaret Goes To Art School' was one of Linley Sambourne's.

I particularly love these photos as they are a record of what ordinary women wore everyday. These are not stiff studio poses, but show natural movement. These women stride purposefully, read as they walk, hang on to their oversized hats in the wind and chat to their friends.

I will use one or more of these images to help me with other illustrations of Margaret. The next one to consider is her visit to the Botanical Gardens in Trinidad.