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.

Two children looking through sewer grate, circa 1889

  You can almost feel the sadness coming off these children, looking forlornly through a sewer grate, the little boy trying to reach down for a lost coin. 

  This image accompanied a short (very short!) story aptly called "A Great Loss"; it began: "Yes, little ones, you may as well give it up, it is quite out of reach - the cent is lost!"

  Dorothy Tennant drew this picture, included in the 1890 Baby's Annual, published circa 1889. 

  

  I also played around with improving the clarity a bit - this one was my favorite! These are both in the public domain. Use them freely and enjoy! Click on either image for a larger version.

A family of chickens with ducklings, 1895

 

   These chicks looked like they were having so much fun, that the resident ducklings wandered over to see if they could have a turn, too!

  I just love this sweet image from the German children's book "Lustiges Völkchen" by Cornelie Lechler, published in 1895. Illustrations were attributed to May Bowley and William Foster, though this one isn't signed, so the artist is unknown at this point.

The image above was enhanced using a filter; the image below is the original. Both are in the public domain, as stated by Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, which digitized and shared this and many other books. (We thank them heartily!)

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? 

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.