Original pencil and ink illustration by Henry Justice Ford for Andrew Lang’s The Green Fairy Book, 1892.

Henry Justice Ford was a prolific English illustrator throughout the latter 19th century. Most notable are his works published worldwide in Andrew Lang’s popular Fairy Book series. Ford illustrated all twelve in that series as well as many other titles by Andrew Lang. 

Henry Justice Ford was born in 1860 in London, England. He studied classical art at both Slade School of Fine Art and Bushey School of Art. His work gained popularity not for his exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Art but for illustrations for the likes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, J.M. Barrie and Rudyard Kipling. It was not until the publications of Andrew Lang’s Fairy Books (1889-1913), however, that Ford garnered worldwide success and heightened notoriety.  

The de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection holds three original Henry Justice Ford illustrations. This illustration is for The Golden Mermaid published in The Green Fairy Book, 1892. It measures 11ins x 17ins.  Its details reveal his talent in both landscape and portrait composition. Pencil can be seen drawn under the ink lines in most places of this piece as was his process. Many of his illustrations would then be colored in. The female and male subjects here are seen on a seaside with waves, rocks, seaweed and birds. The female’s feet dangle over the side of a boat with an elaborately pattered blanket next to her. Behind her stands the male protectively.  

To view this item, please visit the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection in the McCain Library & Archives Reading Room on the 3rd floor. If you have any questions, please contact Brooke Cruthirds at 

Text by Brooke Cruthirds, Assistant Curator of The de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection.