A historic plaque returns to London streets

A historic plaque honouring Sir John Tenniel, the illustrator of Alice in Wonderland, has returned to the streets of London after being stored for 65 years.

Originally installed by the London County Council in 1930 at Tenniel’s Maida Vale residence, the jade-green plaque was removed in 1959 when the building was demolished.
Although the plaque was damaged and slated for destruction, it was preserved and has now been restored and placed at 52 Fitz-George Avenue in West Kensington, where Tenniel spent his final years.

This is the first time English Heritage has conserved and reinstalled such a historic plaque, and the successful outcome is a significant moment for the Blue Plaques Scheme.

Before its restoration, the plaque showed signs of damage, including scratches and losses to its glaze. Conservation experts meticulously cleaned and restored it, using dry pigments and stone powders to recreate its original green glaze.
Now, the plaque appears much as it did 96 years ago.

Sir John Tenniel (1820–1914) is a pivotal figure in British illustration, known for his work on Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.
His illustrations have become iconic, even as the first Alice book celebrates its 160th anniversary.

Tenniel joins other celebrated artists commemorated by English Heritage, such as George Cruikshank and Aubrey Beardsley.

This marks the first time a plaque has been retrieved, conserved, and returned to the city after such a long absence.
The English Heritage London Blue Plaques scheme is supported by David Pearl and public contributions.

Photograph: English Heritage