An early “blue plaque” celebrating Sir John Tenniel, which was thought to have been destroyed when his house was rebuilt, has been rediscovered.
Sir John Tenniel was an illustrator and political cartoonist, but is best known for illustrating the Alice in Wonderland books, and was the first person to be knighted for work as a cartoonist. He died in 1914, and in 1930, the London County Council (LCC) unveiled an early heritage plaque on his longtime home at 10 Randolph Avenue (then called Portsdown Road).
You can just about see the plaque behind the tree in this photo.
However, the entire block of houses was demolished in the 1950s, and it was believed the plaque was so badly damaged that it had been destroyed.
In fact, it was put into storage and forgotten.
But recently it was rediscovered, and following restoration, it has been put back onto a building. Not the same location as before, but on Fitz-George Avenue in West Kensington, where Tenniel spent the final years of his life.
The plaque’s renaissance is all the more remarkable given its condition before conservation.
Though structurally sound, it showed clear signs of damage: scratches, splashes, fissures, and several losses to the glaze and ceramic body. Conservation specialists cleaned the surface, removing decades-old mortar before using dry pigments and stone powders to recreate the original green glaze.
The plaque now looks much as it would have done 96 years ago. The plaque also doesn’t look like the classic English Heritage blue plaques, as it predates them and was also made in an unusual jade-green colour at the request of the householder.
English Heritage Senior Historian Howard Spencer said: “At nearly a hundred years old, this plaque has an extraordinary story. English Heritage has never conserved and reinstalled such a historic plaque before, so it was something of a leap of faith – but we’re delighted with the result. Seeing this fine early plaque returned to public view is a truly special moment for the Blue Plaques Scheme.”
The plaque is on the north side of Fitz-George Avenue, about a ten minute walk from West Kensington tube station or Kensington Olympia mainline station.
The English Heritage London Blue Plaques scheme is supported by David Pearl and members of the public.
