‘Waiting’ by William Lindsay Cable

‘Waiting’ a watercolour and gouache circa 1930, by William Lindsay Cable 1900 – 1949

William Lindsay Cable was an artist, book illustrator and poster designer.  He was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, the son of Thomas and Mary Cable, his father was a cabinet maker and undertaker.  During a childhood illness he discovered a talent for painting and drawing.  He worked for the Dundee Advertiser before moving to London where he opened his own studio.  He later moved to Dorset where he married Minnie Hamden in 1938.  During the Second World War he moved back to Scotland and illustrated books for the Ministry of Information.

He illustrated many of the Enid Blyton’s books including the St Clare’s series.  He also worked for Punch magazine.  He designed some of those wonderful 1920/30s travel posters, examples are held in the collection of the National Railway Museum.