File:Mr. W. L. Thomas, Manager of The 'Graphic' - ILN-1890-1213-0007.jpg

English: Portrait of Mr. W. L. Thomas, Manager of The Graphic. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 13 December 1890.

Read the ILN

MR. W. L. THOMAS AND THE " GRAPHIC.",The progress of illustrated journalism, in England and all over the world, is a feature in the social history of the past century which we can afford to regard not only with the just pride of having set the first example, but with a liberal satisfaction on account of so great an addition to the means of intellectual entertainment and useful instruction provided for this generation of mankind. The Graphic, though our junior by twenty-seven years, "came of age," as is humorously said, on Thursday, Dec. 4, and its twenty-first birthday was celebrated, in the sociable English fashion, by giving a dinner, at the Hotel Metropole, to Mr. W. L. Thomas, the able manager, who was also presented with a handsome service of plate. Among the three hundred guests at table were Professor Herkomer, R.A., the chairman ; Mr. Luke Fildes, R.A. ; Mr. Marcus Stone, R.A.; Sir James Linton, Mr. Wyllie, Mr. Seymour Lucas, Mr. MacWhirter, Mr. Val Prinsep, and other artists; Mr. Locker, editor of the Graphic; Mr. Walter Besant, Mr. William Black, Mr. Thomas Hardy, and Mr. R. E. Francillon. names esteemed in literature; the Right Hon. Cecil Raikes. M.P.. Postmaster-General, the ex-Lord Mayor, Sir Henry Isaacs, Sir Spencer Wells, Bart., M.D., Sir P. Cunliffe Owen, Sir John Pender, and other gentlemen of public note. The toast of the evening was proposed by the chairman, Professor Herkomer bearing personal testimony to the encouragement which many artists have received from Mr. Thomas's manner of dealing with them. The chairman of the testimonial committee, Mr. A. Helder, gave an account of its proceedings, read letters from the Prince of Wales, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sir Frederick Leighton, and others who could not be present, and then requested Mr. Thomas to accept the silver plate, given 'in recognition of the valuable services rendered by him in originally founding the Graphic', and subsequently, by his ability and energy, contributing so much towards its successful development and present high position as an illustrated paper." The health of Mr. Thomas was drunk with great cordiality, and he returned thanks in a pleasant speech, after which several Customary and appropriate toasts were duly honoured. We give an Illustration of the silver plate, which was manufactured by the Goldsmiths' and Silversmiths' Company, 112, Regent-street, as well as a diamond bracelet presented to Mrs. Thomas on this agreeable occasion., MR. W. L. THOMAS, MANAGER. OF THE "GRAPHIC.", PLATE PRESENTED TO MrR. W. L. THOMAS, BY THE PROPRIETORs OF' THE "GRAPHIC."