Girl with several dolls, 1897

  This illustration is charming, but the poem that goes along with it really caught my attention. It’s titled "The Homely Doll" and it starts:

I have a dozen dolls, or more
   In handsome dresses dressed,
With faces fair, and flaxen hair
   That sparkles like a crest.
The oldest is the ugliest,
   And her I love the best.

It goes on to describe her poor "homely" doll, with sawdust seeping out of her body and missing both an arm and a foot. She's in rough shape, but still, she's the favorite.

  This poem and picture were included in the 1897 book called "Funny Stories and Jolly Plays for Winter Nights and Summer Days", a collection of "catchy rhymes and amusing stories" for little ones. 

This image is in the public domain (published in the United States more than 95 years ago) and can be used freely. Click on it for a larger version and then save.

Vintage children Christmas tags

  I've been having way too much fun going through Raphael Tuck & Sons' online postcard collection! I'm especially drawn to the adorable illustrations, like those by the Bowley sisters, Ada and May. 

    I ended up gathering some favorites and making a sheet of holiday tags - I'm excited to share them with you! Most of the illustrators are from the talented Miss Ada Bowley - I just couldn't resist sharing the joyful scenes she created. 

  

  Available as a PNG below or as a PDF file on Ko-Fi. Let me know - which one is your favorite? 

Girl Reading Bookplate, circa 1927

 

   I was intrigued by this bookplate, found in a copy of “Everything and Anything” by Dorothy Aldis, published in 1927.  I love the little girl reading, the doll sitting patiently, the scattered books. I see bookplates in books fairly often but this is the first one that I just had to save and share!

   Just for fun I removed little Marjory's name and enhanced the image a bit, so it's all ready for being used as a bookplate again...or maybe taking on new life as a craft element.  

  Remember to click on the image for a larger version and then save. And enjoy! 

Whimsical squirrel family, 1910

  I'm in awe of the cuteness of the illustrations from the 1910 book, "Blowing Away of Mr. Bushy Tail". In fact, the talented duo of Edith B. Davidson as author and Clara E. Atwood as illustrator published several adorable stories of anthropomorphic animal adventures around this time.

  In the above image, the squirrel family is facing hard times and has been forced to relocate to Grandmother Chipmunk's home. 

  The following illustration, from the same book, originally contained the copyright information. ("Copyright, 1910 By Duffield & Co." Just in case you were curious...)I couldn’t help but think it would make a great graphic featuring a blank sign, leaving space to add whatever you want. 

  Since "Mr. Bushy Tail" was published in New York in 1910, all these images are in the public domain and can be used freely. 

Grandmother surrounded by grandchildren, 1905

   Aww, this image! Granny has come to visit, and all the grandkids are eager to hear her stories and get her attention!

   This illustration, by Will Vawter for the book "Riley Songs o' Cheer" by James Whitcomb Riley (1905), accompanies a poem titled Granny that reads, in part:

"Granny's come to our house,

       Ho! my lawzy-daisy!

All the children round the place...

    That runs to kiss their Granny."

   Yes, I skipped some lines so it no longer rhymes, but you get the idea. Granny is the star of the day - and this illustration shows it!

Guinea pigs and a chick, 1895

  

   "Hey, who invited this fella?"

   You have to wonder what's going through the mind of these guinea pigs, watching a chick peck at their food dish. And there’s always that daring soul—the one who, in this case, just can’t resist taking a bite, even when sharing the dish with a stranger!

   This beautiful color illustration is from "Lustiges Völkchen : ein Bilderbuch mit Versen und heiteren Erzählungen", or, roughly, "Merry People: a picture book with verses and cheerful stories". It's entirely in German so I haven't a clue what's going on but the illustrations are gorgeous, whatever language surrounds them. This one isn't signed, but the attributed illustrators are William Foster and May Bowley.

  The digital archives that shared this book (and so many others - shout out to them!) state that this book is in the public domain. 

Girl sewing while cat plays, 1924

  This little girl is working so hard at her hand sewing, seeming to concentrate on each stitch. Meanwhile, right at her feet, her kitty is having a blast making a jumbled mess of her thread!

  This illustration by Marguerite Davis is from a 1924 book of children's rhymes called "Sing-Song" by Christina G. Rossetti. The short poem that accompanied it reads:

A pocket handkerchief to hem-

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!

How many stitches it will take

Before it's done, I fear.

Yet set a stitch and then a stitch,

And stitch and stitch away,

Till stitch by stitch the hem is done-

And after work is play !

  Umm, looks like Kitty has already started on the play!
  

 This image was published in the United States more than 95 years ago, making it in the public domain. This means you can use it freely however you wish - alter it, share it, save it, enjoy it! Click on the image for a larger version.