Eloise Margaret Burns was born on March 30, 1904 in Rochester, NY. She passed away on October 4, 1987 and in her 83 years became one of the most beloved children’s illustrators of all time. The height of her popularity came when she signed an exclusive contract with Golden Books in 1944, where she did the artwork for 47 books. She would often use her children, grandchildren and their friends as models and her pictures of these children in and around their homes and neighborhoods are highly prized and collected. Her work could also be found on book and records, puzzles, greeting cards, calendars, plates and magazines. She was also published in several different languages. Anyone who collects Golden Books will recognize her work immediately- it is that special.
Golden Books has featured many incredibly talented authors and illustrators but she stands alone as the most popular and most collected. Among my favorite Golden artists are Corinne Malvern, Tibor Gergely, Garth Williams, and Feodor Rojankovsky. They are also instantly recognized, but Eloise Wilkin still ranks as Number One.
In 1979 Golden Books published The Eloise Wilkin Poster Book. It was a 15″ X 18″ book of 8 full-page posters with her artwork. It is very highly sought after and very hard to find. As I write this blog I have just one left. It is a great book but what I liked best was the quote on the back by Eloise herself. It also has a picture of her next to the quote. I enclose it intact- you can just tell by her words what kind of incredible person she was. On my website she is the only person who has her own individual section. Enjoy.
Dear Friends Everywhere- I think of you as friends because over the years, you have written so many good letters telling how much your children resemble my drawings. I have also enjoyed reading of your interest in the houses and rooms I draw, and I am happy that so many of you have found ideas in them for decorating your children’s rooms. I have always loved drawing houses and their interiors. I see myself in the rooms and choose the wallpaper and furnishings very carefully…to say nothing of the babies, children, and animals that live there. I often use my own home as a model. We had four children, two English Setters, a horse, a pony, two ducks and their ducklings, turtles, lizards, and chameleons that came and went. Now I am a grandmother and often use my grandchildren as models. I have been illustrating Golden Books since 1944 and you often write that you are now reading to your children the stories that were read to you when you were little.
Your letters are the inspiration, too, for this collection of prints of some of my favorite illustrations. I hope you will enjoy having them as much as I have enjoyed drawing them. Best wishes to all of you, good friends everywhere.
Sincerely, Eloise Wilkin.