Crane, Walter

CRANE, WALTER.

A collection of ten Routledge Toy Books, all illustrated by Walter Crane, in original pictorial wrappers, comprising:

i) The Noah's Ark Alphabet (no. 100). London: George Routledge & Sons, 1871. 4to, 8 leaves incl. covers, 8 full-page illustrations, spine reinforced, leaves 4-5 pasted in

ii) My Mother (no. 103). London: George Routledge & Sons, 1873. 4to, 8 leaves incl. covers, 8 full-page illustrations, spine torn at foot

iii) Valentine and Orson (no. 107). London: George Routledge & Sons, 1874. 4to, 8 leaves incl. covers, 8 full-page illustrations, spine reinforced

iv) Old Mother Hubbard (no. 109). London: George Routledge & Sons, c. 1875. 4to, 8 leaves incl. covers, 8 full-page illustrations, spine worn, leaves 2-7 loose

v) Bluebeard (no. 113). London: George Routledge & Sons, 1873. 4to, 8 leaves incl. covers, 8 full-page illustrations, leaves 3-6 loose

vi) The Sleeping Beauty (no. 116). London: George Routledge & Sons, 1876. 4to, 8 leaves incl. covers, 8 full-page illustrations, spine expertly repaired

vii) The Old Courtier (no. 62). London: George Routledge & Sons, c. 1876. 4to, 8 leaves incl. covers, 8 full-page illustrations, spine somewhat worn

viii) The Frog Prince. London: George Routledge & Sons, 1874. folio, 12 leaves incl. covers, 1 double-page and 4 full-page illustrations, mounted on linen, spine reinforced, textblock detached

ix) The Hind in the Wood. London: George Routledge & Sons, 1875. folio, 12 leaves incl. covers, 1 double-page and 4 full-page illustrations, upper cover becoming detached, lower cover detached

x) The Alphabet of Old Friends. London: George Routledge & Sons, 1874. folio, 12 leaves incl. covers, 1 double-page and 4 full-page illustrations, covers becoming detached

Walter Crane began designing toy books for George Routledge in 1867 and, over the next ten years, illustrated thirty-seven. These became the most popular children's books of the time.