Chloe Preston and the Peek-a-Boos

Chloe Preston and the Peek-a-Boos by Mary Hillier. Shepton Beauchamp, Somerset, UK: Richard Dennis, (1998), printed in England; trade paperback on coated paper; 8.75x9"; 84 pp.

Any admirer of Chloe Preston's outrageously funny little people will want this book, written by an author of toy books and filled with wonderful photographs: from the books, postcards, and Valentines as well as toys, jigsaws, china and ornaments. Hillier tracked down as much information as she could about this artist, who is not well known outside the circle of her ardent collectors. Publisher's records have disappeared and personal memories are few although the author does include some interviews and quite a lot of information about the family. Most of her artwork, certainly most of her books, were published between 1910, at which point she was 23 and living at home, and 1934, when she inherited an substantial income. The list is amazingly long. She eventually moved to Monaco, and died in Paris in 1969, a few days after her 82nd birthday.

The book contains:

• a copy a London exhibition held in 1923 of Humorous Drawings by Chloe Preston
• a Book List
• a Postcard List