Rupert Bear makes his 1st appearance
On November 8, 1920 Rupert Bear made his first appearance.
While Paddington hogs the bulk of the limelight today, this polite little Edwardian bear from Nutwood, has been going on adventures with his friends for over 100 years. He made his first appearance in the Daily Express with the story Little Lost Bear. The series was created by Mary Tourtell, who would illustrate the comic for the first 15 years of Rupert’s life, Her husband Herbert Tourtel provided the rhyming couplets that accompanied each cartoon frame until his illness and death in 1931.
Between 1920 and 1935, Mary wrote and illustrated many Rupert stories, introducing many of the well-loved characters including Podgy Pig and Bill Badger. During the 1930’s, Mary began to find the Rupert work too much for her as her eyesight was deteriorating, and a replacement was sought (and found, in Alfred Bestall). Mary Tourtel spent much of her working life in the town of Canterbury and continued to take a keen interest in Rupert right up to her death in 1948.
Mary Tourtel | The Followers of Rupert Bear
The first Rupert Bear comic appeared November 8, 2020.
Two Jolly Bears once lived in a wood.
Their little son lived there too.
One day his mother sent him off
The marketing to do.
She wanted honey, fruit, and eggs,
And told him not to stray
for many things might happen to
Small bears who lost the way.
And with those 8 simple lines, Rupert was sent on his very first adventure. Within the year, the Rupert’s success led to the comic being reprinted into hard covered, full colour books.
After Tourtel’s retirement, ‘Rupert Bear’ was continued by Alfred Bestall from 1935 until 1965. During his era the series achieved its highest popularity and sales. He was assisted by Enid Ash, Alex Cubie and colorist Doris Campbell. After 1965 he was succeeded by Freddie Chaplain (stories) and Alex Cubie in alternation with Jenny Kisler, Lucy Matthews and John Harrold (artwork). Occasional ‘Rupert’ illustrators were Enid Ash, Wendy Arnot, Kathleen McDougall and Marjorie Owens. From 1985 on John Harrold was the full-time ‘Rupert’ artist and continued the series until his retirement in 2008. Since then Stuart Trotter has been the main artist.
Mary Tourtel – Lambiek Comiclopedia
Rupert Bear appeared on an 8 stamp set for his 100th birthday in 2020, courtesy Royal Mail. For this issue, they opted for Alfred Bestall’s works. He was the most popular illustrator of the stories, and was the artist who gave Rupert his iconic red sweater and yellow scarf. The stamps are from 4 different stories: Rupert’s Rainy Adventure (1944), Rupert and the Mare’s Nest (1952), Rupert and the Lost Cuckoo (1963), and Rupert’s Christmas Tree (1947).
Set designed by Rose Design company