Four Illustrated Almanacks
First editions of four almanacks for children, with wistful illustrations by Kate Greenaway.
Overall very good plus.
Price: $650.00
Four Illustrated Almanacks
"In many respects she could be regarded as one of the most exploited, imitated, and promoted artists of the Victorian perion." – Schuster
Greenaway was one of the most successful female artists of the 19th century, her art inspiring a "Greenaway Vogue" (Schuster) and adorning books, greeting cards, crockery, and more. This achievement came after years of study at the National Art Training School and the Heatherley School of Fine Art, where she rubbed shoulders with the likes of Elizabeth Thompson (later Lady Butler), Edward Burne-Jones, and Walter Crane; throughout her education, she agitated for more equal artistic training for women, who were forbidden from nude figure drawing classes.
Greenaway's style, featuring rosy-cheeked children and young adults, captures a romantic and cheerful view of a nostalgic Victorian childhood. Her first illustrated almanack came out in 1883, and one was issued every year until 1897; she would pass away four years later in 1901. But by 1925, audiences once again longed for the past, and in a sort of sentimental ouroboros, Greenaway's art experienced a bit of a renaissance.
This collection of four Greenaway-illustrated books represents two-thirds of the "revival" almanacks, published every year between 1924 and 1929. They reuse illustrations from her earlier almanacks, updating them with the appropriate calendar information. Each book retains its rare original glassine.
Read more: Schuster, Printed Kate Greenaway, items 18 16(b), 19 17(a), 20 18(a), 22 20(a).
The Object
London: Frederick Warne & Co., Ltd, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1929. Titles include: ALMANACK FOR 1925, ALMANACK FOR 1926, ALMANACK FOR 1927, ALMANACK & DIARY FOR 1929. 3'' x 4'' (1925); 4'' x 3'' (1926 & 1929); 4.25'' x 3'' (1927). 1925, 1926, 1927 in original cloth-backed color pictorial boards; 1929 in original green imitation goatskin with gilt titles and designs. Each with original text-printed glassine. Each illustrated in color throughout. 1925 and 1926 with [24] pages; 1928 with [36] pages; 1929 with [72] pages. Glassine of 1925 with some edgewear and loss; others with lighter edgewear. Boards with very mild bumping to corners. Leaves clean with vibrant colors.
The Fine Print
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