Author, collector and wood engraving enthusiast Julien Francis has written a new book on the work of the late British artist Herry Perry. Born Anne Erica Thackeray in 1897, but nicknamed Heather and later Herry (likely due to the fact it rhymes with her surname), Perry is an often-overlooked artist that was active between the 1920s and 1950s. Known by some for her illustrations and wood engravings, it is not until now that a more comprehensive overview of her oeuvre has been available.

Originally from Bolton, Perry relocated at a young age to Kensington in London and then Northwood in Middlesex, where she lived with her family, including her father Ottley Perry, who was a cotton merchant. In 1890 he designed the first coat of arms for the County Borough of Bolton, which may have instigated his daughter’s later interest in art and heraldry.

Despite this, her father did not approve of her wanting to study at art school and it was not until his death in 1924 that she was able to enrol at the Central School of Arts and Crafts (now Central Saint Martins), where she became familiar with many of the mediums that would make up her practice.

Of the many skills she acquired during her time at Central, wood engraving had by far the biggest impact on Perry, who quickly became a very talented practitioner. Over the years, she produced a number of impressively detailed engravings, many of which can be found in the book.

These include a cross-section of the Central building, showing the different artistic disciplines on display at the school and various social gatherings taking place within its walls, as well as a series of eye-catching portraits, the subjects of which remain unidentified.

It was Perry’s commercial work for companies such as London Transport that earned her a living during her career, however. Between 1927 and 1938, Frank Pick, then chief executive of London Transport, commissioned her to create some 60 posters of various London locations and events.

Rendered in Perry’s classic style, these designs are at once witty and informative, and include maps of areas within the city, action-packed scenes at public events, and numerous decorative elements.

Before her passing in 1962, Perry also worked on several murals, including two on the RMS Queen Mary and one for Rothamsted Research Station; a number of illustrated books (some of which were written by her); many pub signs for breweries across London and Surrey; and even a series of Christmas cards which, though she disliked the work (calling it a “stupid little job”) still showcased her gift for illustration and engraving.

Francis writes in the introduction that he hopes for her to be recognised as an important early 20th-century artist: “This book brings together almost all of Herry Perry’s artwork and allows us to make a full assessment of this witty and versatile artist for the first time.”

Herry Perry: Artist and Illustrator is published by Sansom & Co; samsonandcompany.co.uk