Sir, – I was interested to read about the late Peggy Fortnum ("Illustrator of Paddington books captured the bear's spirit", Obituary, April 16th).
Her wonderful illustrations brought Paddington Bear to life and certainly captured the spirit of Michael Bond’s creation.
Nearer to home, and what may be not so well known, was the fact that Peggy Fortnum also provided the illustrations for at least six of the books of Cork-born children's writer Patricia Lynch. She shared this distinction with Jack B Yeats, Harry Kernoff and Sean Keating. Indeed, on November 23rd, 1956, the Times Literary Supplement noted that, "So many different artists have tried to capture the atmosphere of Miss Lynch's prose, but only Peggy Fortnum has fully succeeded".
High praise indeed! – Yours, etc,
PHIL YOUNG,
Foxrock,
Dublin 18.