Cousin Reginald Spells Peloponesus
by Norman Rockwell

February 9, 1918 Issue of The Country Gentleman

Cousin Reginald Spells Peloponesus, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of The Country Gentleman published February 9, 1918.

The alternate title for this cover is The Spelling Bee.

This was the ninth cover in the popular Cousin Reginald series.

This illustration was also the ninth Country Gentleman cover by Norman Rockwell. Rockwell painted thirty-three covers for The Country Gentleman starting in August 1917, the first Cousin Reginald cover, and continuing through April 1922.

The original oil on board painting, 30 x 30 inches or 76 x 76 cm, is part of the collection of the Norman Rockwell Museum of Stockbridge, MA.

The painting has been reproduced in one Rockwell commentary book. It appears on page 19 and as color plate 2 of Norman Rockwell, A Definitive Catalogue by Laurie Norton Moffatt.

Cousin Reginald Spells Peloponesus

In this painting, Norman Rockwell gives us a glimpse inside a schoolhouse in the early twentieth century.

Reginald Claude Fitzhugh was no doubt better educated than his country cousins, at least as far as what was taught in school.

Here we see Reginald shining at the blackboard. He has just successfully spelled a very difficult word, "Peloponesus." (Close your eyes and try it!) He is beaming and smiling from ear to ear. He is certainly in his element when he is inside the schoolhouse.

His cousin Rusty is walking off in disgust. He must have been the student eliminated in this round of their classroom spelling bee. His fists are clenched and his face looks tight.

The pretty young girl seen in other Cousin Reginald paintings is the only other speller left in the bee besides Reginald. Rockwell has not told us her name. She apparently thinks Reginald is a show-off. She is sticking out her tongue at him. Maybe she is trying to distract him and is flirting.

Who will win the spelling bee? The smart money is on Cousin Reginald.

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