History of Eric Ravilious’ lost book explained

WESTBURY Festival’s opening event on Friday 26th July will feature Joe Pearson, publisher of Eric Ravilious’ lost Puffin picture book ‘White Horses’, who will give a talk about the nine currently known White Horses. 

The story of Eric Ravilious’ lost Puffin book has captivated fans and researchers for decades. The trail had few clues and with Ravilious’ untimely death, the key protagonist was missing. Now, at last, Joe Pearson at DFT publishers has re-imagined ‘White Horses’, based on Ravilious’ 1941 dummy, placing his atmospheric watercolours of the Downland chalk figures in their original intended context.

The original ‘dummy’ can be found at The Wiltshire Museum and features the Westbury White Horse on the cover titled ‘Train Landscape’ that Ravilious created in 1939. Over three-quarters of a century later, people are now able to glimpse what the original Puffin picture book might have resembled. 

The talk by publisher of ‘White Horses’, Joe Pearson, will take place on Friday 26th July, 7pm at the Methodist Church You can purchase tickets (£5) via www.westburyfestival.org.uk where you will also find the programme for this year’s festival, beginning on Friday 20th September. You can also purchase a copy of the book via www.designfortoday.co.uk.