Dunce, Dunce, Double D

FRANK WATKINS (1863-1929)

Dunce, Dunce, Double D
Can you say your ABC?

“A was an Archer who shot at a frog
Say it at once, you naughty dog!
B was a Butcher, C was his Cat.
D was a Donkey –
I hope you’re not that!”

Signed and inscribed
Pen and ink

31 by 22.5 cm., 12 ¼ by 8 ¾ in.
(frame size 50 by 41.5 cm., 19 ¾ by 16 ¾ in.)

Frank Henry Watkins was born in Lambeth, London and was the son of a bank clerk. He worked as a children’s book and comic illustrator in the early 20th century, drawing for many children’s stories including Dolly Twoshoes (1901); The Wonder and Dolly Daydream (1902); Illustrated Chips and Dick and Daisy (1919-1921) and also for Merry Moments. He provided book illustrations for The Man From the Moon by Philip Carmichael (1909); The Sun’s Babies by Edith Howes (1910); The King Who Never Died: Tales of King Arthur by Dorothy Senior (1910) and Fairy Rings by Edith Howes (1911). In the 1920s he contributed as a writer and illustrator to a large number of Blackie’s special publications for children including My Own Big Book, My Own Picture Story Book, The Rainy Day Book and others. Watkins lived at 64 Waldegrave Park, Twickenham.