PBC: The Illustrating of Books by George Du Maurier; The Magazine of Art (p.349)

Reader's enjoy illustrations and are frequently attracted to books which have a visual - as well as intellectual - appeal. There are two types of reader:

1. A reader that can visualize words and interpret the work of an author to create vivid imagery.

2. A reader that cannot imagine the world created by the author, and therefore, must rely on an illustrator to interpret the world for them.

Maurier argues that most readers fall into the latter category. However, illustrations also function as important memory aids. People typically remember images much more easily than words, particularly if an image is particularly funny or shocking. Therefore, it is the job of an illustrator to embody the work of the author and translate words into memorable images. Maurier argues that this is what makes the illustration a valuable art form in its own right. 

The etchings produced by Cruikshank serve as a reminder of how important the illustrator can be. Many of the images we associate with particular characters stem from these initial illustrations and have endured various adaptations and interpretations throughout the years. Without these illustrations, it is doubtful that Dicken's…