Born in Slough, England in 1870 ,Cecil Charles Windsor Aldin became one of the most popular artists of his era. Educated at Eastbourne College, Solihull Grammar School and South Kengsington

 

Aldin first worked as a magazine illustrator but became known on both sides of the Atlantic as a talented sporting artist . His personal interests included fox-hunting, horse-racing, golfing and the countryside and his illustrations included all these subjects and more including pastoral scenes, cathedrals and London gentry but it is for his charming and often humorous dog illustrations that he is most remembered.

 

His affection for dogs, shines out of every one of illustrations and his understanding of all things canine allowed him to create works of art that were at the time said 'to capture the very soul of the dog'.

 

Due to failing health, Aldin decided to move to a kinder climate and moved to Majorca in 1930. Sadly, just a year later, his beloved Mickey died. Returning to London for medical attention in 1935, Aldin was never to return. It is said that at the very moment he died, Cracker still in Mallorca, began to howl inconsolably and could not be comforted. On Cracker's death two years later The Times honoured this faithful and loving friend with an obituary of his own.

 

Obviously Aldin's original works are the most sought after amongst his prolific body of work, with limited edition prints signed and numbered by the artist themselves coming next in desirability.

 

 

Aldin was highly sought after as a book illustrator and his work accompanied many respected authors of the day, including Charles Darwin, Rudyard Kipling and Anna Sewell. The following list is a sampling of those books that were dedicated to dogs only. A more comprehensive list of  Cecil Aldin books can be found here.

 

Several of Aldin's most loved dog books are now in reprint including Sleeping Partners, A Dog Day and Puppy Tales and these modern editions make charming gifts for any dog lover but for those seeking true collectors gold it is the originals or early editions of the following books that are sought after.

 

1904 - A Dog Day: Or The Angel in the House

 

1906 - The Dogs of War, written by Walter Emanuel and illustrated by Cecil Alden, a tale of two dogs, one a nervous, failed gundog and the other a terrier.

1913 - Our Friend the Dog, written by Maurice Maeterlinck and illustrated by Cecil Alden: the sad story of the short life of Pelléas, a bulldog. This book is out of copyright and available to download or enjoy online via Project Gutenberg. The text is accompanied by Alden's charming drawings of Palléas and hisstandard printed signature is clearly visible on each illustration.

 

1928 - A Dozen Dogs Or So

 

1929 - Sleeping Partners - With only one word captions beneath each illustration this book of sketches of Aldin's two dogs, Cracker and Mickey still manages to speak volumes. The two dogs are pictures in various positions as they vie for the most comfortable sleeping spot.

 

Search for paintings, prints, lithographs and other Cecil Aldin Dog Collectibles.