Harry Rountree (1878-1950)
Painter, illustrator and poster designer born in Auckland, New Zealand where he was educated at the city's Queen's College. Working at first as a commercial lithographer, he emigrated to London in 1901 and continued his studies at the Regent Street Polytechnic and at Hassall School of Art.
He began to contribute the Humorist, Playtime and Punch and from 1903 he collaborated with the editor of Little Folk on a very successful series of books.
Specialising in animals, Rountree went on to illustrate several volumes of children's literature such as Playtime, 1929-29. He designed the original label for Cherry Blossom shoe polish and also had work reproduced in Radio Times during the 1930's.
He showed at the RA, STISA who elected him a member, 1942-50.
Rountree was a member of the Savage Club, Langham Sketch Club and a one-time President of the London Sketch Club, 1914.
Following many arguments with the local 'Moderns' such as Peter Lanyon and Ben Nicholson in his adopted town of St. Ives, Rountree slipped into relative obscurity dying in poverty in St. Ives, Cornwall.
Examples of his work are in the collection of the IWM, Auckland Art Gallery.
Some sources spell his surname incorrectly as 'Rowntree'.
Bibliography:
Uncle Remus by Joel Chandler Harris, illustrated by Harry Rountree. Published by Thomas Nelson & Son, London, 1906.
Aesop’s Fables retold by Blanche Winder, with illustrations by Harry Rountree. Published by Ward, Lock & Co, London & Melbourne, 1924.
Archibald’s Amazing Adventure by Sam Hamer, illustrated by Harry Rountree. Published by Cassell & Co, London, 1905.
Wog & Wig by Winifred Humphries with illustrations by Harry Rountree. Published by Franklyn Ward & Wheeler, Leicester, 1947.
With thanks to artbiogs.co.uk