Mamma Goose and her goslings, 1913

  Check out that bonnet - Mamma Goose has style! 

  Frances Beem is one of those underappreciated illustrators I love to "discover". She dedicated her life to children and art through writing and illustrating children's books, as well as through her many years as an art teacher in Chicago. 

  She's the artistic mind behind this whimsical image of a proud mama goose taking a stroll with her crew of goslings. (Check out her artist's mark in the lower right corner - I love it!) 

  This illustration was included in the 1913 children's book "The Wise Mamma Goose" by Charlotte B. Herr. 

  This image is in the public domain in the United States, having been published in Chicago over 95 years ago. 

Pretend play ship, circa 1889

   It doesn't take much browsing around this blog to realize that I love illustrations of children playing, especially pretend play. And this one is a treasure!

  It's the work these children have put into the pretend - this "ship" took some time to come together! And the fun they're clearly having together. And the awestruck look on the face of the littlest one in front - now *that* face is priceless!

   This picture was included in the "1890 Baby's Annual: Pictures and Stories for Little People", published in Boston by D. Lothrop & Company. Unfortunately, as with many of these kinds of anthologies, the authors and illustrators didn't get attribution. So I can't tell you who created this scene, but we can enjoy it together it's in anonymity.

  This picture is in the public domain, having been published in the United States over 95 years ago. You can use it freely, however you wish. Click on either image for a larger version.

Two Girls at a Fence, circa 1885

   Can you just imagine these two friends, chatting by the fence that separates their yards? Sharing secrets, making plans...trying to delay starting chores??

   Unfortunately, I don't know the artist, but this was an illustration from the title story of "Little Crumbs and Other Stories", published by D. Lothrop & Co. in Boston, circa 1885. 

Children playing with toy boats, circa 1897

  It's just a peaceful day, playing with toy boats in the water, until...yikes! It's getting away! 

  I hate when that happens!

  This illustration is titled "Little Mariners" from a McLoughlin Bros. book published about 1897 titled "To Pass the Time". 

  I would guess that, "to pass the time", one of these kiddos is going to have to wade into the water and catch that boat. And soon! 

  The picture is signed "L.L." in the lower right corner. That's the only indication of the illustrator I could find.

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?