Paris: Hachette et cie, 1883. A collection of 13 almanacks by Greenaway, held in a clamshell case in the style of book, with green leather spine and marbled boards. A little rubbing to the edges of the box. The almanacks are all in french with the exception of 1884, which is in a different format and in English. (this one is in a soft cover and sized 13cm x 9cm, the rest are in hardback and size 10cm x 7.5cm) with no wrappers. All are in good, clean condition, with just a touch of handling and edgewear. This is a near complete set of this series of children's books. "The beginning of 1883 had seen the publication of Kate Greenaway's first Almanack. Published at one shilling by George Routledge & Sons, and of course engraved and printed in colours by Mr. Edmund Evans, it achieved an enormous success, some 90,000 copies being sold in England, America, France, and Germany" (Spielmann and Layard, 122). This set comprises each year to 1895 in their French editions. There was no almanack issued in 1896. A final one (not present here) was issued in a glassine wrapper in 1897. 140 by 100mm (5½ by 4 inches). Une collection de 13 almanachs de Greenaway, présentés dans un étui à clapet en forme de livre, avec dos en cuir vert et plats marbrés. Un petit frottement sur les bords de la boite. Les almanachs sont tous en français à l'exception de 1884 qui est dans un format différent et en anglais. (celui-ci est dans une couverture souple et mesure 13 cm x 9 cm, le reste est en couverture rigide et mesure 10 cm x 7,5 cm) sans emballage. Tous sont en bon état de propreté, avec juste une touche de manipulation et d'usure des bords. Il s'agit d'un ensemble presque complet de cette série de livres pour enfants. « Le début de 1883 avait vu la publication du premier almanach de Kate Greenaway. Publié à un shilling par George Routledge & Sons, et bien sûr gravé et imprimé en couleurs par M. Edmund Evans, il obtint un énorme succès, quelque 90 000 exemplaires se vendant en Angleterre, en Amérique, en France et en Allemagne » (Spielmann et Layard, 122). Cet ensemble comprend chaque année vers 1895 leurs éditions françaises. Il n'y a pas eu d'almanach publié en 1896. Un dernier (non présent ici) a été publié dans une enveloppe en cristal en 1897. 140 par 100 mm

Edinburgh: 1870. Two beautiful watercolours of pixies playing together. Watercolour over pencil heightened with body white. Glaze and mounted under later gold passe partout with gilt frame Images and frames are in excellent condition. images size 115 mm x 70 mm Frame size 245 x 200 mm (9¾ x 7¾ inches).

Born in 1838 in Dunfermline, Scotland, he moved to Edinburgh, beginning to exhibit works at the Royal Scottish Academy in 1857, and then to London. Though he worked variously as a painter, sculptor and stained glass designer, John Lawson is best remembered as an illustrator of books and periodicals. His early work relates to those by his fellow Scotsman, Joseph Noel Paton, who is likely to have been a close friend. However, his later colour plates reveal his ability to adapt to a new market for popular children's books and annuals, and so work alongside his eldest daughter, Lizzie Mack.
His known contributions include: Stories Told to a Child by the author of 'Studies for Stories' (illus. with others, London, Alexander Strahan, 1865), Nursery Times; or, Stories about the Little Ones by An Old Nurse (London, Griffith & Farran, 1867), The Daisy and her Friends. Simple tales and stories for children by Frances Freeling Broderip (illus. with others, London, Frederick Warne & Co., 1869), The Children's Garland from the Best Poets selected by Coventry Patmore (London, Macmillan & Co., 1873), Little Talks with Little People (illus. with others, London, Cassell, Petter & Galpin, 1877?), The Little Folks' Picture Album (illus. with others, London, Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co., 1877), Little Rosebud's Picture Book (illus. with others, London, George Routledge & Sons, 1879), Clever Hans by the Brothers Grimm (London, Thos. de la Rue & Co., 188?), God is Love. Bible stories and pictures for the young by Mrs Haskell (London, Ernest Nister, 1895), There Was Once: Grandma's Stories by Mrs. Oscar Wilde (London, Ernest Nister, 190?) and Bible Stories and Pictures (London, Ernest Nister, 1908).

Paris: Les grandes éditions françaises, 1946. First edition. Numerous illustrations in colour and in black and white in and outside the text. Hardback cover is rather rubbed with a little nicking and edge wear. There is a school / library stamp to title page. Now held under a removable plastic laminate. A few light marks inside. Overall a good copy of this uncommon children's book. 46 pages. 310 by 240mm (12¼ by 9½ inches). Première édition. Nombreuses illustrations en couleurs et en noir et blanc dans et hors texte. La couverture cartonnée est plutôt frottée avec une petite entaille et une usure des bords. Il y a un tampon école/bibliothèque sur la page de titre. Maintenant maintenu sous un stratifié en plastique amovible. Quelques légères traces à l'intérieur. Dans l'ensemble, un bon exemplaire de ce livre pour enfants peu commun. 46 pages. 310 par 240 mm

Paris: Librairie Théodore Lefèvre et Cie, 1896. The alphabet for young children telling a story about a doll. Original hardback illustrated boards, with red cloth spine. Undated, but inscription to front blank page says in French that it was received on 2nd January 1896, so it was obviously printed before then. Lovely hand coloured illustrations. Boards are darkened and a little stained. Inside, has been repaired long ago with tape. Inscription - as mentioned previously - to front blank. Half title has small closed tear to the edge. Engraved coloured frontispiece and engrave title have been stuck together at some point. Likely when the book was taped. Pages are aged, and delicate but the book is complete. Book block a little loose. A scarce and charming item. Text in French. 72 pages. 185 x 115 mm (7¼ x 4½ inches). L'alphabet pour les jeunes enfants racontant l'histoire d'une poupée. Couverture cartonnée originale illustrée, dos en tissu rouge. Non daté, mais l'inscription sur la première page blanche indique en français qu'il a été reçu le 2 janvier 1896, il a donc manifestement été imprimé avant cette date. Jolies illustrations colorées à la main. Les plats sont assombris et un peu tachés. L'intérieur a été réparé il y a longtemps avec du ruban adhésif. Inscription - comme mentionné précédemment - sur la page blanche de la couverture. La moitié du titre a une petite déchirure fermée sur le bord. Le frontispice gravé en couleur et le titre gravé ont été collés ensemble à un moment donné. Probablement lorsque le livre a été scotché. Les pages sont fragiles mais le livre est complet. Le corps du livre est un peu lâche, mais il s'agit d'un objet rare et charmant. 72 pages. 185 x 115 mm.

Paris: Hachette, 1950. The first Babar book to be created by Laurent de Brunhoff, after the death of his father. Early (but not first) edition. Green boards with black spine. The boards are a little bumped and with some edgewear, but sound. Internally a clean copy. The binding is quite shaken, with the book falling open easily in a couple of places - but still holding. A repair has been made using archival tape to the front end paper / title page. Neat gift inscription to the colophon. Internally clean and tidy, with the colours still bright. 48 pages. 370 by 270mm (14½ by 10¾ inches). Le premier livre de Babar créé par Laurent de Brunhoff, après la mort de son père. Première édition (mais pas la première). Carton vert, dos noir. Les planches sont un peu bosselées et présentent quelques traces d'usure sur les bords, mais elles sont saines. L'intérieur est propre. La reliure est assez secouée, le livre s'ouvrant facilement à quelques endroits, mais il tient encore. Une réparation a été effectuée à l'aide de ruban adhésif d'archivage sur la page de garde / page de titre. Une inscription de cadeau soignée figure au colophon. L'intérieur est propre et bien rangé, avec des couleurs encore vives. 48 pages. 370 x 270 mm.

London & New York: George Routledge & Sons, 1887. First Edition Thus. Hardcover. Illustrated by Walter Crane & Edmund Evans. Color Illustrations. This book is in Very Good condition and is lacking a dust jacket. The spine ends and corners of the book covers have edge wear, rubbing. Some edges of the book covers have noticeable rubbing and lost of paper. The text pages are clean and bright. Walter Crane (15 August 1845 - 14 March 1915) was an English artist and book illustrator. He is considered to be one of the most influential children's book creators of his generation. Crane's work featured some of the more colourful and detailed beginnings of the child-in-the-garden motifs that would characterise many nursery rhymes and children's stories for decades to come. He was part of the 'Arts and Crafts' movement, active in Socialist politics, and produced an array of paintings and illustrations.