Bunch of Wild Flowers (1933) – by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite

This charming 1933 children’s book showcases the ethereal illustrations of Australian artist Ida Rentoul Outhwaite, known for her delicate depictions of fairies and the natural world. Published by Angus & Robertson in Sydney, the book presents a whimsical collection of flower-themed stories and poems, each blossom accompanied by Outhwaite’s signature watercolor illustrations of fairy folk. Her artwork transforms native Australian wildflowers into enchanted realms where delicate-winged fairies play among waratahs and flannel flowers, blending botanical accuracy with fantasy.

A delicate treasure of Australiana, Bunch of Wild Flowers represents Outhwaite’s mature style and remains a prized example of early 20th century antipodean children’s book illustration.

About the Illustrator
Ida Rentoul Outhwaite (1888–1960) was Australia’s most celebrated fairy artist during the early 20th century. Beginning her career as a teenager, she developed a distinctive style influenced by Art Nouveau yet distinctly Australian in its flora and fauna. Outhwaite illustrated over 20 children’s books, including Elves and Fairies (1916) and The Enchanted Forest (1921), creating an antipodean counterpart to British fairy illustrators like Cicely Mary Barker. Her work captured Australia’s unique landscapes while maintaining the ethereal quality of European fairy traditions.

Recommended for Collectors

• Elves and Fairies (1916) – Outhwaite’s breakthrough fairy collection
• Flower Fairies of the Spring by Cicely Mary Barker (1923) – Comparable British flower fairy illustrations
• Snugglepot and Cuddlepie by May Gibbs (1918) – Australian nature fantasy classic