The Eve Book by Anne Harriet Fish 1916
About the book
The “Eve Book,” also known as “The First Book of Eve,” is a historical gem published in 1916 by Brentano in the US and the Tatler in the UK. Introducing the new star illustrator, Anne Fish, it is a curated collection of drawings published on the Tatler from 1914 to 1916 in the column “The Letters of Eve,” offering a unique glimpse into the dark days of World War I.
You can enjoy a selection of cartoons from the book here or visit this page, where all pages are available in high-resolution and professionally restored.
The Eve Book, pages 6-7. The Adventures of Eve. Eve as a Policeman and Some War-time Cooks.
Being an irresponsible record of some incidents in the career of a frivolous little lady—to say nothing of Adam, Aunt Matilda, Uncle Fred, and Tou-Tou.
Below, is an amazing detail of Jumping Policewomen
The Eve book, pages 14-15. Just a Few Odds and Ends.
The shortage in postmen grows apace. Eve, as ever, steps into the breach, and you can imagine the unadulterated joy of one of her admirers who, unshorn and untidy, opens the door of his flat to receive from her a pink and scented missive.
The “Eve Book,” also known as “The First Book of Eve, is a curated collection of drawings published on the Tatler from 1914 to 1916 in the column “The Letters of Eve,” offering a unique glimpse into the dark days of World War I.
This historical gem was published in 1916 by Brentano’s in the United States and by Constable and Co./The Tatler in the UK
The book cover is in color and, although beautiful, is unrelated to the book’s drawing, all in black and white.
64 pages, 62 b&w plates + color cover.
Anne Fish was Tatler Magazine’s star artist during those years. She gained a reputation for her inimitable black-and-white sketches.
Richard King, the Publisher introducing Fish
It is not often that an artist evolves a new comic type. “Eve” has now become a clearly recognized figure of modern life, along with George Belcher, Dana Gibson, Bateman, and that very small band of clever artists who have characteristics peculiar to themselves.
Few artists have more quickly sprung into worldwide popularity than “Eve.” How great this popularity is may be judged by the numerous imitators who, while they copy many of Eve’s mannerisms, lose all that humor and spirit that make Eve’s art such a fascinating and irresistible thing. Eve possesses a gift that cannot be imitated, no matter how clever the artist who imitates her may be. Each person’s sense of humor—or lack of it—belongs to them alone. And it is Eve’s humor that makes her delightful drawings so appealing.
Fish has that sense of the “absurd,” one of the rarest senses in all black-and-white art. And yet, while her irresistible humor makes one laugh, and her drawings fascinate us with their quaintness, she is never so far removed from reality as merely a painter of the human grotesque. Therein lies so much of her genius. She paints humanity with the eye of one who can see the comic in everyday people and things. Yet, she never lets her feeling for the ridiculous obliterate her feeling for Truth.
The Eve book, pages 16-17. The Zeps Threaten Again.
Eve draws up a list of things to do if the Zeps do come. She is seen reading it to Tou-Tou, who is visibly impressed. She carefully tacks her hamper every night in case she may have to pic-nic out among the debris of her home the next day. Tou-Tou, as you see, is wearing his respirator.
The Eve book, pages 18-19. Eve Mobilises her Sisters.
This is not the frivolous picture it appears, but represents little Eves in training for E.C.D.C. (Eve’s Coastal Defence Corps). Of course, the first thing to do is to learn to swim. Eve cannot tell us where this is taking place, as it would give away the (amatory) disposition of the Grand Fleet, which anchored dangerously close in soon after operations commenced.
The Eve book, pages 18-19. Eve’s Adventure with the Gallant Submarine.
The bold and wicked air-pirates grappled Eve as planned, but (hooray for the Navy !) the gallant officer on the conning tower was able to seize her shapely limbs as she drifted over him, and, with the help of his equally gallant crew, effected a rescue at the expense of Eve’s already diminutive bathing creation——and, warm and happy, Eve is conveyed back to land at the slowest possible speed.
The Eve book, pages 22-23. Eve Goes into the City and Relieves a Man for Active Service.
Eve, patriotically wishful to release an able-bodied Adam for active service, applies for and obtains a situation as clerk in the office of a susceptible merchant–who in due course introduces her to his staff, who are no less pleasantly affected by our charming little friend than their stern and businesslike employer.
Annie Harriet Fish Sefton (1890-1964) was a British cartoonist and illustrator. She is best known as "Fish," her maiden name, and how she signed her works.
In England, from 1914 to 1919, she illustrated for "The Tatler" a famous column, "The Letters of Eve."
From 1914 to 1932, she drew hundreds of striking cartoons for Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, and Cosmopolitan in the US, showcasing her versatility and adaptability as an artist.
From 1919 to 1932, she drew eleven campaigns for Abdulla, published in French on "La Vie Parisienne" and in English on "Punch," "The Sketch," and "The Sphere."
Her books include High Society (1920), The Eve Book (1920), and Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (1922).
