Eric Fraser (1)
A long overdue feature on Eric George Fraser (June 11, 1902 – November 15, 1983). He’s one of the great British Illustrators of his time. Eric’s most renowned for creating lavish covers for the long-running Radio Times Magazine as well Illustrating many classic scenes from mythology, Shakespeare and Tolkien. Some notes on the featured images:
Top: ‘The Laxdaela Saga’ (Pen and Ink) Dust Jacket 1964 via: www.chrisbeetles.com
2nd: Smaug (Pen and Ink) Illustration taken from The Hobbit published by the Folio Society in 1976 (thanks for the tip Zhu) see the full set here: tolkien.com.pl
3rd: The Red Dragon Express – British Railways menu card dating from 1960 via Flickr User: Mikeyashworth
4th: Eric Fraser Beowulf & Dragon via Flickr user: hitmissmaybe
5th: Exploration of the Moon – book jacket 1965, again via Flickr User: Mikeyashworth– The structure is very Norman Foster Associates!
6th: St Peter, St Paul and Atilla (Pen Ink and Watercolour) dust jacket cover 1968 via: www.chrisbeetles.com
bottom: The Talisman (Watercolour and Bodycolour) 1956 via: www.chrisbeetles.com
**
For further reading and or galleries, check out:
Eric Fraser @ chrisbeetles.com with a chance to buy signed prints…
Also check this Flickr group: Eric Fraser – artist and illustrator
Finally here’s a link to buy Eric Fraser: Designer and Illustrator a hardback coffee table book compiled by Sylvia Backemeyer.
6 thoughts on “Eric Fraser (1)”
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One of the greats! What was the old Radio Times without his artwork to enliven the week.
Hey Russ,
I thought you’d appreciate, some truly stunning work… I’d love to own a signed print, or failing that the Sylvia Backemeyer book…
Kie
Frazer was an absolute master. A nice selection here. BTW Frasers Hobbit was published by the Folio Society – the first edition was 1976, unfortunately the missus says I’ve too many Hobbits already!
Cheers Zhu, I’ll update the info – too many Hobbits? surely not!
the Folio Society also did a version [in 4 volumes] of “The Book of the Thousand Nights & One Nights ( “Arabian Nights”)” with engravings by Eric Fraser.
Ps – there is a version on sale at moment on Ebay [ and it’s not me -:)]
Slight correction on my dating – the ’76 Folio Society hobbit had Tolkiens original drawings in it (used Allen and Unwins book block in new binding) – the Fraser edition was first published in ’79.