Mary Strange Reeve Explained

Mary Strange Reeve
Birth Date:9 January 1891
Birth Place:Walthamstow, Essex, England
Death Place:Loughton, Essex, England
Nationality:English
Other Names:Mary Strange Reynolds
Occupation:Miniaturist, book illustrator, and commercial artist
Known For:Illustrating girls' school stories

Mary Strange Reeve (9 January 189128 March 1974) was an English miniaturist, book illustrator, and commercial artist. Her most lasting work is probably her illustrations for girls' school stories.

Biography

Mary Strange Reeve was born at Walthamstow, Essex on 9 January 1891. Her father, Gilfrid Reeve, was a Brewer's Clerk, rising to the position of Brewer's Managing Clerk by 1911. Her mother was Alice Margaret Strange. Reeve was the third child of six.

Reeve married Walter Deveson Reynolds (8 November 18862 April 1980) on 26 September 1931, at Saints Peter and Paul's Church in Chingford.

In 1939 Reeve was living with her husband at Pemberley, 82 Tycehurst Hill, Loughton, Essex. She was still living at that address when she died on 28 March 1974, leaving an estate valued at £47,187. Her husband survived here by six years and was still living at Pemberley when he died on 2 April 1980. His estate was valued at &78,298.

Works

Reeve exhibited seven works at the Royal Academy between 1917 and 1926. She was on the staff of the Oxford University Press.

The following bibliography is based on a search on the Jisc Library Hub Discover databse. supported by other sources (as indicated). It does not include the annuals, such as Mrs. Strang's Annual for girls which Reeve also illustrated.

Novels illustrated by Reeve! Ser !! Year !! Title !! Author !! Publisher !! Pages !! Notes
1 1923 The Hunter Children Natalie Joan OUP, London 254 p., (8º)
2 1923 Meg of the Brownies Margaret Stuart Lane OUP, London 254 p., (8º)
3 1924 Cecil of the Carnations Winifred Darch OUP, London 256 p., (8º)
4 1925 Dimsie, head-girl Dorita Fairlie Bruce OUP, London 280 p., 5 ill. (1 col.), (8º)
5 1926 The New Girl and Nancy Dorita Fairlie Bruce OUP, London 288 p., (8º)
6 1926 The new school and Hilary Winifred Darch OUP, London 255 p., 5 ill., (1col.), (8º)
7 1927 Dimsie Goes Back Dorita Fairlie Bruce OUP, London viii, 277 p., ill. (1 col.), (8º)
8 1930 The new house captain Dorita Fairlie Bruce OUP, London vi, [1], 7-288 p., ill., (8º)
9 1930 The Fifth Form Rivals Winifred Darch OUP, London 95 p., col. Ill., 8º
10 1931 The school on the moor Dorita Fairlie Bruce OUP, London 285 p., 8º

Further reading

The Spring 2017 issue of Studies in Illustration contained an article on Mary Strange Reeve by William Connelly.