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Ida Rentoul Outhwaite, also known as Ida Sherbourne Rentoul and Ida Sherbourne Outhwaite (9 June 1888 – 25 June 1960), was an Australian illustrator of children’s books. Her work mostly depicted fairies.
Outhwaite’s first illustration was published by New Idea magazine in 1904 when she was just 15 years of age – it accompanied a story written by her older sister, Anne Rattray Rentoul. In the years that followed, the sisters collaborated on a number of stories. Following her marriage to Grenbry Outhwaite in 1909, she also collaborated with her husband – most notably for The Enchanted Forest (1921), The Little Fairy Sister (1923) and Fairyland (1926). In a number of cases, her children – Robert, Anne, Wendy and William – served as models for her illustrations. She inspired a number of artists including Edith Alsop, Ethel Spowers and Ethel Jackson Morris.
Her illustrations were exhibited throughout Australia, as well as in London and Paris between 1907 and 1933. She died in Australia at Caulfield, Victoria.
Books illustrated by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite
- 1904
- Mollie’s Bunyip, by A. R. Rentoul and I. S. Rentoul, Robert Jolley, Melbourne 1904
- 1906
- Mollie’s Staircase, by A. I. Rentoul and I. S. Rentoul, M. L. Hutchinson, Melbourne 1906
- 1907
- Gum Tree Brownie and other Faerie Folk of the Never Never, by Tarella Quin, with a Foreword by Ethel Turner, George Robertson &. Co., Melbourne 1907, Reprinted 1908, New edition 1910, Another edition 1925
- Australian Songs for Young and Old, with words by A. R. Rentoul, music by Georgette Peterson, George Robertson & Co., Melbourne 1907 (issued in both pictorial wrappers and cloth). Second edition 1908, Third edition n.d., Imperial edition no. 335, n.d. (1924)
- Mollie’s Adventures, by A. R. and I. S. Rentoul, E. W. Cole Book Arcade, Melbourne n.d. 1907. Consists of Mollie’s Bunyip and Mollie’s Staircase bound together with no title page, but with cover title of ‘Mollie’s Adventures’
- The Story of the Pantomime Humpty Dumpty, specially written for the little ones by A. R. Rentoul (with five coloured and numerous black and white illustrations), J. C. Williamson, Sydney n.d. (1907)
- 1908
- Peter Pan: the boy who wouldn’t grow up, C. Williamson, Melbourne 1908 (pictorial wrappers drawn by Ida S. Rentoul)
- The Story of Peter Pan, by A. R. Rentoul, founded on J. M. Barrie’s delightful fairy play as presented by J. C. Williamson in conjunction with Chas Frohman, J. C. Williamson, Melbourne 1908 (two unsigned vignette illustrations)
- The Lady of the Blue Beads Her Book, being an account of her First Blue Moon spent on Sun Island, by A. R. Rentoul, George Robertson &. Co., Melbourne 1908
- 1909
- Title-page black and white illustration to the programme for Madame Melba’s Concert, Exhibition Building, Atlas Press, Melbourne 15 November 1909
- 1910
- Bush Songs of Australia for Young and Old, with words by A. R. Rentoul, music by Georgette Peterson, George Robertson & Co., Melbourne 1910. Reprinted Several times. Imperial Edition no. 336 (1924?)
- 1911
- Before the Lamps are Lit, by Tarella Quin, George Robertson &. Co., Melbourne 1911
- Sinbad the Sailor: J. C. Williamson’s Annual Pantomime Extravaganza (colour front cover by I. R. Outhwaite) George Robertson, Melbourne, n.d. (1911)
- 1912
- Puss in Boots, by J. Hickory Wood &. Frank Dix (colour front cover by I. R. Outhwaite) George Robertson, Melbourne, n.d. (1912)
- 1913
- More Australian Songs for Young and Old, with words by A. R. Rentoul, music by Georgette Peterson, George Robertson &. Co., Melbourne 1913. Imperia! Edition no. 337, n.d. (1924)
- The Rose of Joy: A contata for children, with words by A. R. Rentoul, music by Alfred Wheeler, and pictorial wrappers signed ‘I.S.R.’, Allan & Co., Melbourne n.d. (1*913). Reprinted, Imperial Edition no. 62, n.d.
- 1915
- Melba’s Gift Book of Australian Art and Literature, George Robertson &. Co., Melbourne 1915. Contains ‘The First Lesson’, a black and white drawing by I. R. Outhwaite illustrating a story by A. R. Rentoul, ‘A Fairy without Wings’.
- At the Sign of the Sword by four in a family, Melville &. Mullen, Melbourne n.d. (1915)
- 1916
- Elves and Fairies Edited by Grenbry Outhwaite with verses by A. R. Rentoul, Lothian, Melbourne and Sydney 1916. (edition limited to 1,500 copies signed by the artist) The selected quarto edition of above, Lothian, Melbourne and Sydney 1919
- 1918
- Ackman’s Booklet for Children, Ackmans Complete Home Furnisher, Fitzroy, Victoria 1918 (with 10 coloured plates)
- The Guinea-pig that wanted a tail, by Mrs A. R. Osborn, Whitcombe & Tombs ‘Willie Winkle Zoo Books’, Melbourne 1918. Another edition, n.d. (Australian Nature Story Readers), Another edition as above, n.d. (Whitcombe’s Story Books no. 315)
- The Naughty Baby Monkey, by Mrs A. R. Osborn, Whitcombe &. Tombs ‘Willie Winkie Zoo Books’, MeL boume, n.d. (1918)
- Fuzzy, Wuzty and Buzzy, by Mrs A. R. Osborn, Whitcombe &. Tombs ‘Willie Winkie Zoo Books’, Melbourne 1918. Another edition, n.d. (192-) (Whitcombe’s Australian Nature Story Readers), Another edition, n.d. (192-) (Whitcombe’s Story Books no. 314)
- The Quarrel of the Baby Lions by Mrs A. R. Osborn, Whitcombe &. Tombs ‘Willie Winkie Zoo Books’, Melbourne 1918
- Teddy Bear’s Birthday Party, by Mrs A. R. Osborn, Whitcombe &. Tombs ‘Willie Winkie Zoo Books’, Melbourne 1918. Another edition, n.d. (192-) (Whitcombe’s Australian Nature Story Readers), Another edition, n.d. (192-) (Whitcombe’s Story Books no. 313)
- Peter’s Peach, by Mrs. A. R. Osborn, Whitcombe &. Tombs ‘Willie Winkie Zoo Books’, Melbourne 1918
- 1919
- Hymns for Service of Thanksgiving on the Declaration of Peace After The Great War, 1914-1919 (front cover by L R. Outhwaite) Head Mistresses’ Association., Melbourne, n.d. (1919)
- 1921
- The Enchanted Forest, by I. R. Outhwaite and Grenbry Outhwaite, A. &. C. Black, London 1921 (edition limited to 500 specially bound copies). The same, ordinary trade edition, New Edition, as above 1925, Another edition, Angus and Robertson, Sydney 1981
- 1922
- The Early Bird, by A. G. Outhwaite, London., 1922- Listed under A. G. Outhwaite’s entry in Who’s Who in Australia (1927) although never published
- The Fairy Calendar, 1922/1923 (with 12 colour illustrations by I. R. Outhwaite) British Imperial Oil Company, Melbourne
- The Little Green Road to Fairyland by A. R. Rentoul and I. R. Outhwaite, A. &. C. Black, London 1922 (edition limited to 300 specially bound copies signed by the artist). The same, ordinary trade edition,. 1922, Another edition, London 1925, Another edition, London 1932, Another edition, London 1947, First Australian edition, Melbourne 1948, Reprinted, Melbourne 1954
- The Sentry and the Shell Fairy, The British Imperial Oil Company Limited, Melbourne n.d.
- The Fairy Story that came True, The British Imperial Oil Company Limited, Melbourne n.d.
- When winter comes, Ramsay Publishing, Melbourne, in conjunction with A. G. Outhwaite for The Glaciarium, n.d.
- 1923
- The Little Fairy Sister — By I. R. Outhwaite and Grenbry Outhwaite, A. &. C. Black, London 1923, Another edition, London 1929
- 1924
- The Shell Fairy Calendar, 1924/25 (with 12 colour illustrations by I. R. Outhwaite) British Imperial Oil Company, Melbourne
- 1926
- Fairyland of Ida Rentoul Outhwaite, with verses by A. R. Rentoul and stories by Grenbry Outhwaite and A. R. Rentoul, Ramsay Publishing, Melbourne 1926. (edition limited to 1000 copies signed by the artist), Another edition, Frederick A. Stokes Company, New York 1929, Another edition, A. &. C. Black, London 1931
- 1928
- Blossom: a fairy story, with text by II R. Outhwaite, A. &. C. Black, London 1928
- 1930
- Bunny & Brownie: the adventures of George and Wiggle, A. &. C. Black, London 1930
- 1933
- A Bunch of Wild Flowers, with verses by I. R. Outhwaite, Angus and Robertson, Sydney 19331 Reprinted, 1934, Another edition, 1940, Another edition, 1948 (all plates in colour)
Indian Red Cross Society, Junior Red Cross Supplement, October 1933 (front & back cover drawings by I. R. Outhwaite)
- A Bunch of Wild Flowers, with verses by I. R. Outhwaite, Angus and Robertson, Sydney 19331 Reprinted, 1934, Another edition, 1940, Another edition, 1948 (all plates in colour)
- 1934
- Chimney Town by Tarella Quin Daskein, A. &. C. Black, London 1934
- Enchanting Isles by Dorothy Mellor, Howard, Whyte, Sydney 1934
- The Other Side of Nowhere by Tarella Quin Daskein, Robertson &. Mullens, Melbourne 1934 (contains three stories from Before the Lamps are Lit and four from Gum Tree Brownie; selected illustrations from these books are also included)
- Centenary Gift Book, edited by Frances Fraser and Nettie Palmer, Melbourne 1’934 (includes a black and white drawing by I. R. Outhwaite, ‘Witchery Wood’ illustrating a poem of that name by A. R. Rentoul)
- 1935
- The Australian Wonder Book (containing these four complete books: The Little Black Princess; The Other Side of Nowhere; The Prince and the Totem; The Mystery and Magic of the Bush. Includes black and white illustrations bv I. R. Outhwaite to Tarella Quin’s The Other Side of Nowhere). Home Entertainment Library, Melbourne 1935
- Sixpence to Spend — with text by 1. R. Outhwaite, Angus 6u Robertson, Sydney 1935
- 1936
- Teddy Koala’s Music Lesson, (Piano Solo) by Dolly Stewart (front cover drawing by I. R. Outhwaite), Allan Co., Melbourne, n.d. (copyright 1936)
- 1937
- Australian Bush Songs, with words by A. R. Rentoul and music by Georgette Peterson (cover illustration by I. R. Outhwaite). Allan &. Co., Melbourne (n.d.)
Imperial Edition no. 394, includes 17 songs selected from the three original song books (copyright date 1936). Reprinted numerous times - The Enchanted Seas by Averil Newell (includes four coloured illustrations by the artist), A. &. C. Black, London 1937
- The Red Witch by Averil Newell (includes four coloured illustrations by the artist), A. & C. Black, London 1937
- The Lost Princess by Madeline Collier (includes four coloured illustrations by the artist), A. &. C. Black, London 1937
- Janet and the Fairies, by Bertha M. Danks (includes four coloured illustrations by the artist), A. &. C. Black, London 1937- Another edition, 1942. (the illustrations for these four books were taken from other books published by A. &. C. Black in the 1920s)
- Australian Bush Songs, with words by A. R. Rentoul and music by Georgette Peterson (cover illustration by I. R. Outhwaite). Allan &. Co., Melbourne (n.d.)
- 1938
- Junior Red Cross Calendar (with 6 illustrations by I. R. Outhwaite), Melbourne, 1938
- 1939
- The Koala’s Picnic, (Piano Solo) by Margery Forbes (front cover drawing by I. R. Outhwaite), Allan &. Co., Melbourne, n.d. (copyright date 1939).
- 1940
- Three Australian Sketches for Piano by J. A. Steele (front cover design by I. R. Outhwaite), Allan &. Co., Melbourne n.d. (copyright date 1940) Imperial Edition no. 456
- 1941
- Nut-Cracker Suite (simplified piano edition) by P. Tschaikowski (front cover design by 1. R. Outhwaite), Allan &. Co., Melbourne n.d. (copyright date, 1941)
- 1942
- Songs for Young Australians, with words by Bronnie Taylor and music by Edith Harrhy (front cover drawing by I. R. Outhwaite), Allan &. Co., Melbourne n.d. (1942, copyright date 1941). Imperial Edition no. 490
- 1944
- Ten New Songs for Children by Bene Gibson Smyth (front cover drawing by I. R. Outhwaite), Allan & Co., Melbourne 1944
- 1945
- Musical Nursery Rhymes Picture Book, by Bob Rees & others (contains coloured illustrations by I. R. Outhwaite, and music and words of nursery rhymes), Murfett &. Co., in conjunction with V. B. Harmony Hits, n-d. (copyright 1945)
- 1947
- Teddy Bear’s Picnic, words &. music by John A. Bratton (front cover drawing by I. R. Outhwaite), Allan &. Co., Melbourne, n.d. (copyright date 1947)
- Art Training Institute Prospectus (one untitled illustration by I. R. Outhwaite) Melbourne, n.d. (1947)
- Art Training Institute, Lesson 34: ‘Developing the Imagination* by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite, Melbourne, n.d. (1947?)
- 1948
- Nursery Rhymes reproducing all of the illustrations from Musical Nursery Rhymes Picture Book, Murfett & Co., Melbourne 1948 (deluxe edition also issued in a variant binding)
- Little Laddie and his Bush-land Friends, with verses by Capt. D. MacCormick, Alex Maclaren &. Sons, Glasgow 1948
- The Boomerang Thrower, (Piano Solo) by Arthur S. Loam (front cover drawing by I. R. Outhwaite) Allan & Co., Melbourne, n.d. (copyright date 1948)
- The Wallaby, (Piano Solo) by E. Markham Lee (front cover drawing by I. R. Outhwaite) Allan &. Co., Melbourne, n.d. (.copyright date 1948)
- 1949
- The Puddin’ and the Pixie: 12 songs for children, with words by Bronnie Taylor and music by Ina Mornement (front cover design by I. R. Outhwaite) Allan &. Co., Melbourne, n.d. (copyright date, 1949), Imperial Edition no. 521
- 1958
- Legends from the Outback by Phyllis Mary Power, J. M. Dent, London 1958. Another edition, 1965 (all illustrated in black and white)
- 1982
- The Road to Fairyland (miscellaneous children’s verses with coloured and black and white illustrations taken from Elves and Fairies and Fairyland), Angus and Robertson, Sydney 1982
- 1983The Little World of Ida Rentoul Outhwaite, Angus &. Robertson, 1983 (illustrations taken from A Bunch of Wildflowers)
- 1984
- Nursery Rhymes, Angus &. Robertson, Sydney, 1984
- The Lady of the Blue Beads, by A. R. Rentoul &. I. R. Outhwaite, Angus &. Robertson, Sydney, 1984 (illustrations based on the 1908 edition though modernised in the 1950s)