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We note some charming illustrations By Cicely Steed from an Enid Blyton book titled Down at the Farm . This is the only Blyton book we know of at this time. Unfortunately, like many of the Blyton illustrators, we have little information about her. We have noted many other books she illustrated, including some religous books by Betty Smith. The Down at the Farm story is essentially about the young Bobby who has been ill in bed. The good doctor recommends to his mother for a swift recovery her son should have spell in the country. Published in Great Britain by Purnell and Sons. There is no publishing date but it seems to be from the late 50s or early 60s. Of note is the brown leather strap shoes (for boys) worn with white ankle socks compared to the girls exclusively black leather strap shoes which don't have the middle leather strip. One HBC reader liked Steed's drawing style to Marcel Marlier who did illustrations of the same time. Marcel's illustrations show the children's demeanor and posture far more pointed and studied with the detail of their clothing more precise.
Unfortunately, like many of the Blyton illustrators, we have little information about her. We see links to lot of her books on the internet, but have not yet found a biograohy.
A HBC reader tells us a little about the family. "Cicely lived in Anerly (an area of south east London) near Crystal Palace. She was one of four children, one boy and three girls. As a child I was often taken to visit and allowed in their toy room to play. They still had a beautiful set of carved bricks and miniature China tea sets which I was allowed to play with. Best of all a very large carved rocking horse. I believe many of their toys ended up in Pollocks Toy Museum. I never knew the brother but Kathleen, her sister was deaf and taught me the signs for the alphabet. She was also an artist and worked for a Christian organisation near Westminster Abbey. The other sister, who I never met, was called Marjorie and was a nun in Africa. I’m sorry I can’t remember more , I was very young but I do have several books that were illustrated by her and I still treasure them." [Green]
A reader writes, "I believe she was Godparent to my sister, and was living with her blind piano teaching sister Kathleen (my Godparent) in the Penge area of south London round around 1950." [Pearce]
We have noted many other books that Steed illustrated, including some religous books by Betty Smith. Steed worked with several authors, including Elizabeth Batt The Birthday Plan, Enid Blyton (Down at the Farm 1951), Constance Savery (The Sea Queen), Betty Smith (The Boy Jesus and Friends of Jesus), Christine Wood (Johnny's Stolen Pet). We note the charming illustrations from Blyton's book titled Down at the Farm for yoiunger children. This is the only Blyton book we know of at this time that Sted illustrated. The Down at the Farm published by Sampson Low. The story is essentially about young Bobby who has been ill in bed. The good doctor recommends to his mother for a swift recovery her son should have spell in the country. The depictions are all of healthy, happy rosy-cheeked children--obviously benefitting from farm life. Published in Great Britain by Purnell and Sons. There is no publishing date in a copy forwarded by a HBC reader. On source indicate that it was published in 1951.
Of note in Down at the Farm are the brown leather strap shoes (for boys) worn with white ankle socks compared to the girls exclusively black leather strap shoes which don't have the middle leather strip. We note here that the boy wears red short pants. We thought that grey and khaki shorts were more cmmon in Britain eapecially in the 1940s and early-50s. We are not at all sure that this is an accurate depiction. but it adds color to the illutratiins.
One HBC reader liked Steed's drawing style to Marcel Marlier who did illustrations of the same time. Marcel's illustrations show the children's demeanor and posture far more pointed and studied with the detail of their clothing more precise. Marcel Marlier is almostantly reconizable to almost every French-speaking person. Most of the French grew up learning to read with cheerful illustrations drawn by Marcel Marlier. He illustarted French and Belgian children at the age that they were beginning to go to school for books that would help them with their reading. His modern and realistic illustrations accuaretly depict, if a little idealized, typical garments that French children were wearing. He began drawing in the early 1950s and chronicled French children through much of the second half of the 20th century. He also illustarted the children's magazines Martine for many years.
Green, Judith. E-mail message (October 15, 2021).
Pearce, Mike. E-mail message (September 9, 2016).
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