Girl reading outdoors, 1898

  As I virtually flipped through the digital edition of "Little Bright Eyes", published circa 1898, this was the first image I knew I would save. This girl looks so peaceful, sitting under a tree with a book, while her brother fishes in the background. It's presumably quiet and just right for catching up with your favorite fictional characters! (The above is cropped to focus on the girl reading. The original is below.) 

   The illustrator here, Edith M. Taylor, is a bit of a mystery, which always makes the researcher in me frustrated. Having a common name makes it extra difficult to track down things like her date of birth or death. We know she often partnered with her sister Mabel F. Taylor on illustrating projects, such as children's books and postcards for Raphael Tuck & Sons of London.

   I can trace her only to Croydon, Surrey, England, where the census of 1891 shows her listed as an artist and illustrator, and living with her widowed mother and 3 adult siblings, as well as 3 servants (one was 15 years old!). Her death date being a mystery to me, I can't say for sure her work is in the public domain in any country except the United States. If you have any info on her, I'd be grateful to learn more!

  

  If you read my research frustrations (I tend to go on once I get started!), you certainly deserve a bonus Edith Taylor illustration, this one from the same book. Which one is your favorite? 

Girl makes doll gown with grandmother, 1913

  Alice is going to be in a wedding, and she's determined that Little Girl Blue, her beloved doll, should get to be a part of the festivities, too. Who can make a lovely gown for Miss Girl Blue? Of course, it's Grandma to the rescue!

  There are some lovely illustrations in the book, "Little Girl Blue Plays 'I Spy!'", written by Josephine Scribner Gates and published in 1913. Frustratingly, no credit was given to the creator of those illustrations. (Not even in the copyright forms filed for the book. Yes, I checked!) 

"Grandma dearly loved to dress dolls, and she joyously fashioned the pretty gown."

    There are a few more pictures from this book I saved - I hope you'll like them as much as I do! 

  

  As an aside, what do you think about the large hair bows of this time period? I'm not sure I would have been a fan!

  Buying doll wedding gown supplies! And after all that work is finished, there are still dishes to be done. Good thing Alice has a little helper to assist...

  These images are all in the public domain (having been published in 1913, more than 95 years ago). They can be used freely. Click on an image to view a larger version, save to your computer, and enjoy! 

Girl holding flower garland, 1930

  Isn't this a sweet image? It's from a translated version of a French book by Anatole France (appropriate name!) called "In All France: Children in Town and Country". The illustrator is Lucille Enders, who apparently worked on several children's publications that I look forward to searching through!

  This girl, holding up a lovely flower garland for all to see, is in the public domain. It was copyrighted in the United States in 1930, over 95 years ago. 

An Unlucky Sail, circa 1885

   Sam wishes he had something to put into his new boat. Hmmm...his sister's doll is nearby. Yep, that will do!

"I will give Miss Dolly a sail," thought Sam.

   Sure, what could go wrong! Well, the story is called "An Unlucky Sail". And this illustration speaks a thousand words.

   This illustration by E.S. Tucker was included in "Oliver Optic's Annual Stories, Poems, and Pictures for Little Men and Women". It was published circa 1887. 

  And just in case you were wondering, Sam is a good brother at the end, making up for his ill-advised sailing choices!

Children looking at blank sign, 1927

  This seems like a fun image for paper crafting - perhaps collages or junk journals? A group of children has stopped to look at...well, whatever you want to add to this sign!

  Originally, they were looking at the copyright information in the early pages of the book "Story-Friends, Third Book", published in 1927. But the illustration of these kids (by Mabel Betsy Hill) was just too cute to pass by. 

  So I removed the words, and now I share it with you. I hope it sparks some creativity! I'd love to hear what you plan for it in the comments.

This image was published in the United States over 95 years ago, making it in the public domain. You can use it freely. Click on the image for a larger version.

Blowing bubbles, 1905

Soap and water and a pipe,
    And a little care-
That is all you want to blow
   Bubbles in the air.

   Thus reads the poem "Bubbles" from the 1905 children's book "Little Miss Muffet and Other Good Stories". These girls have clearly taken the poem to heart, contentedly blowing homemade bubbles together. 

  For the record, we tried this when we had a kiddo in the house, and I could never find the right mixture of water and soap to make good bubbles. For me, it was easier to just buy a solution of "bubble stuff"!

  This image is in the public domain (published in the United States in 1905) and is free to use, share, and alter however you like. Click on the image for a larger version and then save and enjoy! 

To A Robin, 1888

  I came across this book page today and knew I had to share it. The image above accompanies a poem titled "To A Robin", found at the back of the 1888 children's book "Louisa May Alcott: The Children's Friend". 

  We currently have a lively family of robins in our backyard. We have a family almost every year and yet the experience never gets old for me. From watching the parents gather the materials and build their nest (usually with many starts and stops) to feeling strangely protective as they sit on the eggs to the excitement when the babies are hatched, and the parents seem to spend every moment feeding small, squaking mouths, flying off for more food, and repeating. 

  So the poem (yes, there was a point to that story!) felt especially meaningful to me just now. 

Welcome, welcome little stranger,

  Fear no harm and fear no danger,

We are glad to see you here,

  For you sing sweet Spring is near.

Now the white snow melts away,

  Now the flowers blossom gay,

Come dear bird and build your nest,

  For we love our Robin best.

  The illustration is by Lizbeth (or Elizabeth) B. Comins. Possibly the poem, too, though it's not credited in this book anywhere I could find. 

   This book page is in the public domain and can be used and shared freely. It was published in the United States in 1888, well over 95 years ago. Click on an image for a larger version.