Victorian Family, 1896

  This is an illustration by Bertha G. Davidson, used as the frontispiece for the book "The Merry Five" by Shirley Penn, published in 1896. 

  I'd always wanted a large family like this, full of siblings. Though being a sensitive child who needed my quiet time, this was a completely illogical wish! Still, this sweet image conjures up all kinds of homey, loving vibes.

  This image is in the public domain and can be used freely - alter, print, craft, enjoy! Click the image to view a larger version, then save it to your computer.

Children Illustrations by Mary Ellen Edwards, 1892

   Can't you just feel the excitement of these two little girls, reaching excitedly for passing butterflies, seeming as if they're trying to call them over, like they would if they saw a friend across the road. 

   But the baby is my favorite, sitting contentedly nearby, captivated by the flowers surrounding her. 

  The amazingly talented Mary Ellen Edwards illustrated the images here for Frederic Edward Weatherly's Among the Daisies, published in 1892.

   This second one shows a family eagerly waiting for their father to come home. It accompanied a poem called "Daddy's Coming", which read in part: 

'Tis the hour we love the best,

           Daddy's coming :

For he tells us tales, you know,

Of the brave days long ago,

And we love him, love him so,

       Daddy's coming.

Ruth Mary Hallock Childhood Illustrations, 1904

   I've shared enough images that a pattern has started to emerge. I love "home-y" scenes - mothers and babies, children playing, girls with dolls. 

   Ruth Mary Hallock seems to be a pro at illustrating scenes like these. The ones in this post were all created by Hallock for the 1904 book "Every Day Essays" by Marion Foster Washburne.

  I did alter these slightly, changing the original sepia to black-and-white. But the realism and tenderness shine through whichever way you prefer it! 

  This last one I didn't crop. The caption is just too perfect - "With wonder-filled eyes expectant of fairy marvels in a city store". The illustration depicts this marvelously - the little boy gazing at the items for sale, a little girl looking on; and who could forget that little guy trying to peek over the counter (maybe they hide the really good stuff up top!). 

  As always, these are all public domain - I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Carrying Baby to Bed, 1888

   I can just imagine it's bedtime for this little one. He might be tired, but he'd never admit it! 

   This image is from a book of poems written by Robert Ellice Mack titled When All Is Young, published in 1888 and beautifully illustrated by Harriet M. Bennett. 

  And...yep, can't resist. Just one more from this book. (Promise!) 

 This is a sweet scene by any measure - two little girls, listening attentively to their mother. Maybe it's a thrilling story, maybe some good news to share. But it's the details that I especially love. Check out the doll in the background, dropped on the floor and forgotten, and the empty doll bed next to the chair. And we can't forget Fido, listening just as earnestly as the girls. 

  These images are all in the public domain and free to use however you wish. Click on either image (or both!) to get the largest size. 

Mother and baby, 1883

 

Cuddle up closer in your fair white gown,

Mother’ll hold you, darling, while the rain comes down.

   Artist Ida Waugh captures the sweet scene of a mother cuddling a sleeping baby so perfectly here. The baby feels safe, the mother might be almost certainly is exhausted but still enjoys this quiet moment while her baby snuggles close. 

   A beautiful image from Holly Berries, published in 1883, accompanying the poem, A Rainy Day Song. 

   For a larger size of this image, download here or just click on the image and then right-click to save!