Joseph and Elizabeth Pennell correspondence

Joseph Pennell (1857-1926) was a prolific and influential illustrator as well as an author. Engraving was Pennell’s early medium of choice, but he embraced lithography in the 1890s. Among his most notable lithographs is the poster he produced to encourage purchases of Liberty Bonds during World War I. His wife, Elizabeth Robins Pennell (1855-1936) was an author of fiction, non-fiction and essays. During their marriage, they collaborated together on more than 230 books and other works.

Both Pennells were born in Philadelphia, but eventually made their home in London for 36 years. They both traveled across Europe,often writing and illustrating travel books. They became close to many of the artists of the period, especially James McNeill Whistler whose biography they wrote together. In 1921, they moved back to the United States and settled in New York.