I discovered today, courtesy of Lars Walker, that Pauline Baynes, illustrator of books by both J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, has passed away. Lars links to an excellent post about Baynes, which I commend to you.

After the venerable Dr. Suess, I think Pauline Baynes was the first illustrator whose name ever registered on my consciousness. I remember being quite thoroughly delighted when I realized that the pictures from Farmer Giles of Ham were drawn by the same hand as those in the Narnia books; and I was equally delighted when I was given a hardcover set of the Narnia books and first saw the illustrations properly reproduced.

I can’t say that I’ll miss her, particularly, as I only knew her through her pictures, and until today had no idea that she was still alive. But I’m grateful for her work and glad that I can continue to enjoy it.

Come to that, it’s probably time to re-read Farmer Giles of Ham….