James Arnold (commercial artist)

James Arnold (2 July 1909 – 7 September 1999) was an English commercial artist who developed a passion for the wagons that he saw on his cycling tours of the countryside in the pre- and post-War years. He set about producing painstakingly accurate measured drawings and watercolours of all the main regional types that he came across and these he included in a series of books beginning with The Joyous Wheel (1940) and including The Farm Waggons of England and Wales (1969).

Life

Arnold was born in Southall, Middlesex on 2 July 1909.^[1]

Never owning a car, he cycled all his life, claiming to have covered nearly half a million miles in his lifetime.^[1] In November 1946 he became a founding member of the Birmingham-based Beacon Roads Cycling Club.^[2] He often toured with fellow members of the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC).^[1]

In 1961 (1964?) he married fellow cyclist Jeanne (Jeane?) Boore.^[1][3]

James Arnold died in Welland, Worcestershire, on 7 September 1999.^[1]

Publications

• The Joyous Wheel, Hamish Hamilton, 1940
• The Countryman’s Workshop, Phoenix House, 1953
• The Shell Book of Country Crafts, John Baker, 1968
• The Farm Waggons of England and Wales, John Baker, 1969
• All Made by Hand, John Baker, 1970
• Farm Waggons and Carts, David & Charles, 1977
• All Drawn by Horses, David & Charles, 1979

As illustrator:

• Hunter, Norman, Professor Branestawm's Treasure Hunt, John Lane, The Bodley Head, 1937 – Arnold's illustrations were used for the first edition only.
• Herring, Maisie. Shropshire, Paul Elek, 1949
• Peel, J. H. B. (John Hugh Brignal), The Chilterns, Paul Elek, 1950
• Edwards, Tudor. Warwickshire, Paul Elek, 1950