First of all apologies for the lack of videos in recent months, I have had all of my final year exams for University. With those out of the way I now have some time to rediscover my Thomas the Tank Engine Collection. This time we are going to be having a look at some lovely Railway Series merchandise dating back to 1980.
Edgar Hodges was an illustrator used by Kaye & Ward for a brief period between around 1979 and 1980. He provided illustrations primarily for the two annuals released in 1979 and 1980. Surprisingly there were no further annuals released until the dawn of the TV series, so between 1981 and 1984 there were no Railway Series/Thomas the Tank Engine annuals. Both the 1979 and 1980 annuals feature Thomas in the cover giving some indication to the central role he would take in the later TV series. In addition to the two annuals Edgar also provided illustrations for the Famous Engines colouring books and the three jigsaws shown in my most recent video.
Two of the jigsaws featured in the video are essentially recreations of existing Railway Series illustrations by John T. Kenny, with both being from the 17th book of the Railway Series - Gallant Old Engine (1962). Edgar is faithful to the original illustrations but expands the scenes a bit and adds some more passengers. It is quite interesting to compare how the two artists differ, a comparison is provided in the video. The final jigsaw depicts the Skarloey Railway engines along with Nancy the Guard's daughter. Nancy first appeared in Gallant old Engine, but the illustration by Edgar Hodges may also be based on an earlier illustration provided by John T. Kenney for The Little Old Engine.
But have a look for yourself and see what you think! Please feel free to leave comments below or on the video.
With thanks to the Thomas Wikia for information.
