Raymond Sheppard and Michael Shephard

 

Lilliput Nov-Dec 1951, p.52

When Lilliput was a pocket-sized publication, it had an interesting presentation on its pages. A little 'lozenge' would list a subject term - in this case "Sport" rather than "Short Story", "Article", "Profile" and even "1901"! Today I want to show you some early Raymond Sheppard appearances in Lilliput, both articles by Michael Shephard.

Part of original art by Raymond Sheppard

Interestingly, if you click on the image of Sheppard's original art, you might be able to make out that this story was to be titled "The Meet" before it was "Vacant Possession". Here's the whole story of the fox that eluded the hunt with Sheppard's artwork. 

Lilliput Nov-Dec 1951, pp.52-53

Lilliput Nov-Dec 1951, p.54

The next one appeared in Lilliput dated "December-January 1952", but I have to tell you, if you are searching for this issue, it's actually Dec 1952-Jan 1953! To be sure, it is Volume 32 No.1 (issue 187). The cover looks like this:

The erroneously labelled Lilliput

Anyway Shephard and Sheppard present the story called "The long net" on pages 71-73. The heading illustration shows the crux of the tale - rabbits caught in a long net. 

Lilliput Dec-Jan 1952 [sic 1953], p.71

Thanks to Christine Sheppard I can share an image of the original art, which shows the colour drawn was used. 

The original art by Raymond Sheppard

The reason I mention colour is because we have an image of the original art for one of the two spot illustrations further on in the story

Lilliput Dec-Jan 1952 [sic 1953], p.72

Lilliput Dec-Jan 1952 [sic 1953], p.73

 

Original art

Researching Michael Shephard, it looks like he led the popular programme on the BBC called "The Countryside" which was first broadcast Wednesday 4 April 1951 on BBC Home Service Midland. The broadcaster travelled Britain visiting various counties, fishing sites, talking on countryside issues (such as Myxomatosis). It looks as if his career for the BBC ended around 1956 after he also took part in "Along the river". One place he visited was the Welland Valley, and the Market Harborough Advertiser (12 November 1953) shows this photograph of the author himself

"HERE chairman Michael Shephard receives a cup of tea 

during the rehearsal for the broadcast. 

With him is Paul Humphreys, the producer 

of 'The Countryside' series.

I've made a start on a bibliography of his work, but can't pin down when he was born or further details. If anyone has anything to add I'd be grateful. 

This photo appeared on the back of his book A Concise Guide to West Country Fishing in 1991 and I know he lived in Tewkesbury but after that I'm stuck with guesses!

 BIBLIOGRAPHY 

BOOKS 

• What Fish is that? An illustrated guide to the freshwater fish of England, Scotland and Wales. [Field Sportsman's Library.]. London: British Field Sports Society, 1950
• "Inland marsh-Shooting" in Wildfowling.[The Lonsdale Library Volume XXIX], London: Seeley, Service & Co., Ltd., [1950].   
• Come and fish. [Sporting scene series]. London: Museum Press, 1952
• Ratcatcher Baronet. The memoirs of Sir Lionel Darell, Bart., D.S.O. Edited by Michael Shephard. London; Eastleigh: Sir Joseph Causton & Sons, 1952
• Come wildfowling. [Sporting scene series]. London: Museum Press, 1953
• Chub: how to catch them. [How to catch them series] Jenkins, 1954
• Happy valley . London: Museum Press, 1954
• Instructions to Young Anglers. London: Museum Press, 1955
• A concise guide to West Country fishing. London: Sportsman's Press, 1991

ARTICLES

• "Pursuit", Boy’s Own Paper December 1950
• “The surprising mayfish”, Field April 1951, p.597
• “Before the geese flew north”, Field May 1951 p.690
• “Fast water for the start”, Field June 1951 p.949
• "Vacant Possession", Lilliput November/December 1951 
• “The technique of using decoys”, Field, February 1953, p.196
• "The long net", Lilliput, December/January 1952 (sic, 1952/1953)
• "Summer Fishing", Boy’s Own Paper July 1954
• “A plan for better wildfowling”, Field September 1954 p.419
• "Sport on the Stubbles", Boy’s Own Paper September 1954
• "Pike Hunting", Boy’s Own Paper November 1954
• “The Canada goose population”, Field, May 1956, p.971
• "Through marshlands, dykes and rivers" Tewkesbury Register 19 September 1958