Wallace Tripp - 1973 - Children's Book Illustration

Wallace Tripp (1940 - ) is one of the best pen & ink illustrators that many folks have never heard of. He is the illustrator of many childrens' books and cards, and is especially well known for his personality-filled anthropomorphic animals. Tripp just has an easy way with animals, bringing them to life with lively pen work and wonderful figure movement.

This ink & ink wash illustration appeared in "Headlines", a 1973 childrens' book written by Malcolm Hall, and illustrated by Tripp. The book features animals running a newspaper office, when they realize that the headlines keep getting messed up. It turns out that the Jeremy P. Rat family has been taking some of the metal type to create their house under the printing press. After all, as is explained in the book, the P stands for "Packrat". But no matter. It turns out the public has loved the puzzle-like headlines, so all is well. This drawing is the final page of the book, and features Tripp's wonderful Jeremy P. Rat family carrying blocks of type, done in his charming and classic style.

Sadly, Tripp retired some 20 years ago, due to Parkinson's Disease. I had never seen any of Tripp's original artwork available for sale before, and am thrilled to add this piece to my collection, with thanks to Marcia Tripp.