Master Jacob, for "The Wonder Clock" 1887 Howard Pyle American Pyle is considered the father of American illustration. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, he became interested in art and writing as a boy, studied in Philadelphia and then New York, at the Art Students League. In 1878, a drawing accepted by Harper's Weekly helped to launch his career and the artist returned to Delaware in 1880. Over the next three decades Pyle wrote and illustrated a series of now iconic works and became an influential teacher. Aware of contemporary European innovations, he skillfully adapted his style to suit a range of subjects. This title vignette design appeared in Harper's "Young People" in 1886. The artist adapted it here for "The Wonder Clock," a book published by Harper Brothers in 1888. The related image appears in story XIII on page 163.. Master Jacob, for "The Wonder Clock". Howard Pyle (American, Wilmington, Delaware 1853-1911 Florence). 1887. Pen and black ink. Drawings