I have found 5 images illustrated by Raymond Sheppard - so far - which appeared in John Bull. This famous magazine ran from 1906 to the 1960s in one form or another. The excellent Tony Quinn has written more about the magazine and the 1950s issues are the ones that are very collectable due to their painted covers with idyllic landscapes and sometimes humorous themes.
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| John Bull 14 June 1952 p.15 |
The story "Stripey" by Dudley Hoys appeared in John Bull 14 June 1952 and tells a story of salmon spawning, otters being hunted by otter hounds and an unusual site of a stag in 'the western fell'. The image shows a deer being pursued by dogs and the name 'Stripey' comes from the "queer jagged lines on its flanks".
Dudley Hoys (1899-1980) was born in London, became a Lakeland farmer and died in Henley, Oxfordshire, but was also a prolific author of short stories (the first in 1922; the last c. 1960), appearing, aside from in the UK, to my knowledge, in Canada and Australia. His books include three photographic and illustrated titles on the Lake District, he wrote a comedy for the BBC in 1949. I also found reference to a bench dedicated to Captain Hoys at St. Catherine's Church, Eskdale, Holmrook, and he appears to have been a member of the Cumbrian Literary Group from which he retired in 1956/1957. I couldn't find any photos which is a shame.
DUDLEY HOYS BOOKS BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ecstasy. [A novel.]. London: Jarrolds, 1930.
Quiet Men. London: Jarrolds, [1930]
The Persian Peril. London : Gramol Publications, [1936]
They Found a Handkerchief. London: Oxford University Press, 1940.
Below Scafell. London: Oxford University Press; drawings by Lynton Lamb, 1955.
English Lakeland in Colour: A collection of colour photographs. With an introductory text and notes on the illustrations by D. Hoys. London: B.T. Batsford, 1959.
English lake country. London: Batsford, 1969.
Old Will stories. New York, N.Y.: Privately printed at the Press of Francis Emory Fitch; drawings by J. Brian Crossland, 1971
More Old Will Stories. New York, N.Y.: Francis Emory Fitch, 1971
An extensive listing of his short story fiction can be found on The FictionMags Index.
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| John Bull 11 October 1952 pp20-21 |
The next published was "The Wild Horse" by Nina Beachcroft, (11 October 1952, pp20-21). The caption reads: "The horse stood there tall and magnificent looking down into the boy's eyes. For some moments Ron was overcome with wonder and excitement. Then he saw the halter. He advanced holding out his hand"
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| John Bull 11 October 1952 p22 |
"His voice was urgent, pleading. “I want to go and look for the horse Mum. Let me – please” Horse rearing back from boy whose arm is extended towards it / (Page 22) Ron pleads with his mother to look for the missing horse.
Ellinor Nina Beachcroft was born in Kensington in 10 November 1931. Her father was an author and Nina became known for children's fantasy after "Well Met by Witchlight" was published in 1972.
NINA BEACHCROFT BOOKS BIBLIOGRAPHY
Well Met by Witchlight. London: Heinemann, 1972.
Under the Enchanter. London: Heinemann, 1974.
Cold Christmas: a ghost story. London: Heinemann, 1974.
A Spell of Sleep. London: Heinemann, 1976.
A Visit to Folly Castle. London: Heinemann, 1977.
A Farthing for the Fair. London: Heinemann, ; illustrated by Anthony Colbert, 1978.
The Wishing People. London: Heinemann, 1980.
The Genie and her Bottle. London: Heinemann, 1983.
Beyond World's End. London: Heinemann, 1985.
The only short story I could find is the John Bull one above! To read an overview of Beachcroft's children's books from September 1985 see Books for Keeps. Her daughter Helen Osborn (née Gardner, 5 July 1961- ) has been an archivist and is a genealogist. She was born in Datchworth Green, near Knebworth, Hertfordshire and her sister is anthropologist and fiction author Katy Gardner.
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| John Bull 13 December 1952 p.7 |
The next illustration accompanies a story ("King Lion") by one Alastair Scobie. The caption reads: "He got to his feet, and. like a grave, middle-aged man, disturbed in his nap, stood there blinking. Then with a growl he slowly turned his head". You'll notice there are two men with a double barrelled shotgun lying in grass watching the lion.
Alastair Scobie appears to have been born in 1918 and the excellent FictionMags Index lists only two works of fiction (included below) but interestingly has a link to his work - as a film write and director! This is confirmed by Shakari Connection which shows the covers of his books.
ALASTAIR SCOBIE BIBLIOGRAPHY
So She Sent Flowers. London: Shakespeare Head, 1946
Kangaroo Shoots Man. London: Cassell, 1949.
Murder à la Mozambique. London: Cassell & Co, 1950.
The Cape Town Affair. London: Cassell & Co, 1952.
Animal Heaven. London: Cassell & Co, 1953.
Adventurer's Paradise. London: Cassell & Co, 1955.
Men against the Sun. London: Cassell, 1959.
Women of Africa. London: Cassell, 1960.
Murder for Magic: Witchcraft in Africa. London: Cassell, 1965.
Short stories:
"Maneater", Argosy (UK) January 1953
"The Natives Are Hostile", Lilliput March 1955
"One faded star" Britannia and Eve 1 February 1950
[Unknown] John Bull 5 April 1958
"The strangest hotel in the world". Eagle Vol1:39, 29 December 1950
All entries I've found list works based on African themes - photography and hunting, so this could be the same man who is a Director/Screenplay author.
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| John Bull 18 April 1953 p14 |
The last image by Raymond Sheppard that I have found, in John Bull is accompanying "The horse with the roving eye" by Dal Stivens. I've talked about Dal Stivens before on this blog, so that's the end of this article.
If you want to learn more about British magazines I'd recommend Tony's site MagForum - here's more on John Bull and its successor Today.
