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1890 RARE: R. Caldecott’s First Collection of Pictures & Songs
R. Caldecott’s First Collection of Pictures & Songs is a rare antique volume published by Frederick Warne & Co in London in 1890. The book contains eight well-known stories that are beautifully illustrated by R. Caldecott. These stories include The Diverting History of John Gilpin, The House that Jack Built, The Babes in the Wood, and The Farmer’s Boy, among others. The book has a grey cloth hardcover with printed decorative illustration and lettering on the cover and spine. It has minimal wear and tear, with some rubbing along the edges and a small surface rip on the bottom of the inside cover. The book is very clean and well-bound, with no writing or markings anywhere in the book.
Despite being over 130 years old, the book is in remarkably good condition and would make a great addition to any collection. The pages have no foxing or yellowing, and although there are a couple of areas where folios began separating from their neighbors, all are attached to the spine, and no pages are missing. This rare volume is a collector’s item and a testament to the enduring appeal of R. Caldecott’s illustrations and stories.
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1924: Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, by Mary Mapes Dodge
Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates is a classic children’s novel by Mary Mapes Dodge, first published in 1865. The story is set in the Netherlands and follows the adventures of Hans Brinker, a young boy who dreams of winning a pair of silver skates in a local skating race. Along the way, Hans and his family face many challenges, including poverty, illness, and the loss of a loved one. Despite these obstacles, Hans remains determined to achieve his goal and help his family. The novel is a heartwarming tale of perseverance, family, and the power of hope.
This early edition of Hans Brinker features many drawings by Louis Rhead and is in a very good condition for its age. The cloth hardcover volume has a paper illustration on the cover, and while there is some wear and rubbing present on the cover, including the corners, there is no writing in the book. Some minor foxing, as well as fading/yellowing to pages due to age is present, as well occasional vintage fingerprints throughout the book. The thick, quality paper and top edges painted yellow add to the charm of this classic novel.
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1899: A Child’s Garden of Verses, by R. L. Stevenson
A Child’s Garden of Verses by R.L. Stevenson is a classic children’s book that has been enjoyed by generations of young readers. This early rare edition, stated as the fifth, is beautifully illustrated by Charles Robinson and published by John Lane in London. The green cloth hardcover volume features gilt stamped ornamentation and lettering on the cover and spine, with some wear and rubbing around the edges and corners. The gilt is partially rubbed off on the spine, and there is wear on the back cover, especially around the bottom. The end papers show foxing and a thin tear where the front and back end papers attach to the spine. The top, bottom, and fore edges are gilt, and there are no writing or similar markings anywhere in the book. However, there are several instances of age and “finger print” type stains, mostly in the margins, and several pages are separating from the spine. Despite these minor flaws, the overall condition of the book is good.
$500.00