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Home , Kate Greenaway, Randolph Caldecott, Walter Crane

ȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢ ȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢȢDecember 19, 2014

INDEXES ON Newsstand Rate $1.75 Published by The Bee Publishing Company, Newtown, Connecticut PAGES 66 & 67 Children’s Literature 100 Books At The Grolier Club

BY KATE EAGEN JOHNSON NEW YORK CITY — The ultimate free-spirit Pippi Longstocking pushed off the list by that martinet Mary Poppins! I cannot believe it. My red-pigtailed childhood alter-ego who lived in that crazy house with her horse and monkey unfettered by supervision failed to make the final cut. Exhibition curator Chris Loker shared the clash of “Mary versus Pippi” to illustrate the difficult deci- sionmaking required to arrive at the Grolier Club’s “One Hundred Books Famous in Children’s Literature,” on view through February 7 at the head- quarters of America’s oldest bibliophile society, founded in 1884. The formulation of the joint catalog and exhibition was not an exercise in nos- talgia, even as Loker recognizes, and even honors, the powerful emotional pull children’s books can exert upon memory. Her intent was to produce a scholarly tool for serious book collectors while also crafting a catalog and exhibition that would delight the general reading public as well as hard-core bibliophiles. According to Loker, “Through this project we have tried to find as many ways as possible to embrace children’s literature.” More than a century before the and BBC created the often-emulated History of the World in One Hundred Objects radio and online program, New York’s Grolier Club had launched its own “One Hundred” series. The club’s first such exhibition and catalog, One Hundred Books Famous in English Literature, dates to 1902–03. It was followed by parallel offerings on American literature (1946–47), science (exhibition in 1958 and catalog in 1964) and medi- cine (1994). A 1999 project on fine printing kept the spirit, if not the exact title, of the theme. Children’s literature is the latest offering in this sequence. As Loker remarked, “I wanted children’s literature to be viewed in the

Visit from St Nicholas by Clement Clarke ( continued on page 6C ) Moore, illustrated by , New York, 1823. Lender: Beinecke Rare Book & Raggedy Ann doll, possibly United Manuscript Library, Yale University. States, circa 1960, fabric. Anonymous lender. Johnny Gruelle, author of the Raggedy Ann books, sold the first dolls in 1918.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, illus- A Apple Pie illustrated by , , 1886. Lender: trated by W.W. Denslow, New York, 1900. Lender: Chantal Hodges. In the late Nineteenth Century, the “Kate Greenaway Peter E. Hanff. look” extended to children’s clothing styles and interior décor. 6C — Antiques and The Arts Weekly — December 19, 2014

Hornbook, probably England, late Eighteenth Century, ivory and silver. Lender: Ellen A. Michelson.

Curious George by H.A. Rey and Margret Rey, Boston, 1941. Lender: Ellen A. Michelson.

Just So Stories by , illustrated by the author, London, 1902. Lender: Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University.

Tin Woodman and Scarecrow Dolls by Oz Doll & Toy The Hobbit written and illustrated by J.R.R. Royal Instructor, probably England, circa Manufacturing Company for Frank Joslyn Baum, Tolkien, London, 1937. Lender: Lilly Library, 1790, ivory, 26 disks in a cylindrical box. Los Angeles, circa 1924, “art leather” and kapok Indiana University, Bloomington. Lender: Ellen A. Michelson. stuffing. Lender: Peter E. Hanff. Children’s Literature 100 Books At The Grolier Club ( continued from page 1C ) special series and for supporting her sprinkled in. And so we learn how Lives and Joyful Deaths of Several and the team through the five years it “Yahoo,” “Goody Two-Shoes,” Young Children, 1671. Those Puritans same way as adult literature, to stand took to produce the catalog, exhibition “Pollyanna” and other familiar words certainly had a way with kids. as tall on the shelf.” and colloquium. and phrases entered the American- A headline here is that Juvenilia as a Loker is a San Francisco-based anti- Available through the Grolier Club English lexicon. The Yahoos appeared distinct literary genre dates back cen- quarian bookseller specializing in and through Oak Knoll books, the 320- in Gulliver’s Travels, published in turies, but it truly blossomed with the antique children’s books, an author of page catalog is a visual and scholarly 1726. The other two were books issued explosion of during contemporary children’s books and a wonder. Through contextual essays, in 1765 and 1913, respectively. the Nineteenth Century. While there curator of children’s book exhibitions. Justin G. Schiller, Jill Shefrin, Brian W. We see how the Brothers Jacob and are way too many factors in this fasci- Drawing upon the expertise of a nine- Alderson and Nick Clark address the Wilhelm Grimm were driven by an nating story to explore here, they member international advisory board history of collecting child-related sto- impulse to document traditional tales include developments in both technolo- as well as her own deep knowledge, ries, rhymes and literature; childhood as folklorists; writing for youth was of gy and culture. Among them is the Loker worked within the “Grolier literacy in Europe and America over secondary concern to them. We gain an adoption of wood engraving, which Hundred” rubric. She explained that time; four centuries of printing and appreciation of standard reading text- could be set alongside moveable type “the Grolier Club’s children’s exhibi- bookmaking technology; and the art of books, including McGuffey’s Eclectic and withstand the pounding of the tion and catalog is based upon the Twentieth Century illus- First Reader, first published in press. Lithography, trichromatic print- ‘fame’ of the books selected, since that’s tration. Aimed squarely at rare book Cincinnati in 1836. Auto titan Henry ing, continuous paper-making the basis of the Grolier Hundred librarians, antiquarian booksellers and Ford, one of countless students who machines and other innovations played canon. As a result, we have selected high-level collectors are the catalog’s learned to read using the McGuffey a role as well. Designers modified the books that are ‘famous’ by virtue of “Principles of Description,” which out- Reader series, became so wrapped up format of the book, initially to accom- being widely known at the time of their line the specifics of bibliographic treat- in its symbolism that he not only col- modate illustrations. Soon after, within creation and admired over following ment for these 100 titles and select lected copies, but also ordered the con- a single volume, words and pictures generations — in the process demon- variants. struction of a reproduction one-room would vie for relative importance and strating literary merit and unparal- Whether we are book mavens or not, schoolhouse from logs salvaged from a weight. Eventually the picture book leled popularity.” The “Greatest Hits” as we turn the pages of the catalog we barn on the McGuffey farmstead as would be conceived as an integrated she has chosen are primarily first edi- are bound to come across “old friends” part of Greenville Village, his outdoor whole. tions and date from the early 1600s to as well as titles never before chanced history museum. On the consumers’ side, changes in the year 2000. upon or perhaps known only slightly. While many titles are capable of pro- attitude and lifestyle sparked greater Loker is grateful to the Grolier Club, All are represented by one or more voking a warm smile of remembrance, demand for children’s literature. In the of which she is a member, for initiating illustrations and by a few paragraphs some might not. Consider A Token for Nineteenth Century, the establishment the project, for respecting children’s lit- indicating how the title met the criteri- Children, Being An Exact Account of of public schools and libraries, erature enough to make it part of this on of “fame,” often with some fun facts the Conversion, Holy and Exemplary advancements in artificial lighting and December 19, 2014 — Antiques and The Arts Weekly — 7C

A Little Pretty Pocket-Book … [and] also A Ball and Pincushion; The Use of which will infallibly make Tommy a good Boy, and Polly a good Girl, printed by Isaiah Thomas, Worcester, Mass., 1787. Photo courtesy of the Morgan Library & Museum, New York City. If you think a book and companion giveaway is a new idea, not so. This is the only copy of this title known to survive with its original linen pincush- ion ball and silk drawstring bag. Alas, the ball is not a true toy, but rather a behav- ior modification device. A caregiver was instructed to place a pin on the “good” or “bad” side of the pincushion for each good or bad act performed by the child. Attention sewing equipment collectors: if you have one of these pincushions, it is a real find!

Apparently unpublished draw- ing by , circa 1865, watercolor and ink on paper with calligraphed text pasted on. Provenance: archive. Anonymous lender. The following nursery rhymes are illustrated: “High diddle diddle,” “Little Boy Blue,” “I had a little husband,” “Fee, Fo, Fum,” “Three Blind Mice,” “There was a little man,” “Little Jack Horner,” “Rub a dub dub” and “Goosey Goosey Gander.”

‘I wanted children’s literature to stand tall on The House that Jack Built, illustrated by , London, 1878. Lenders: Pamela and Benson Harer. the shelf.’ —Chris Loker, curator

Millions of Cats, written and illustrat- ed by Wanda Gag, New York, 1928. Lenders: Linda F. & Julian L. Lapides. This popular graphic artist and book illus- trator was inspired by Bohemian folk Tommy Thumb’s Pretty Song Book, Vol. 2 [Anonymous], London, 1744. design. Lender and photo: Cotsen Children’s Library, Princeton University. evolving ideas about appropriate fami- 1658), Pinocchio (Italian: 1883) and strong market for the best quality chil- dren’s books, not rare books, the suit ly activities and reading material all Babar (French: 1931). dren’s literature, along with this cata- states. The Rosenbach calls that rea- contributed. In the United States espe- Accompanying the volumes borrowed log and exhibition, will have an ener- soning not only faulty but rife with cially, a literate and well-informed elec- from notable private and public collec- gizing effect and continue to increase irony: Sendak argued that divisions torate was seen as essential to the sur- tions are approximately 50 toys, learn- interest. As an antiquarian book deal- between adult and children’s literature vival of the nation. American mothers ing devices, games and related para- er, I am happy to say the market for were invalid — in his work as well as were expected to prepare the citizens of phernalia. They range from Nineteenth children’s literature is national and that of others.” tomorrow by encouraging reading in Century nursery tableware ornament- even international. If I go to a book fair In his catalog foreword, Grolier Club the home. ed by the alphabet to a 1930 Winnie here or overseas, there are always chil- President G. Scott Clemons tells how Illustrators whose images are fea- the Pooh calendar, from a Robinson dren’s books present as well as buyers. the “Grolier Hundred” selections have tured include , Crusoe puzzle dating circa 1835 to a I see this interest as universal to all sparked debate in the past. This is part , and N.C. vinyl record of the song Eloise released cultures and inspiring because of its of the strategy, so join the conversation. Wyeth, among many others. Not to be in 1956. Artwork, proofs and manu- relationship to children’s literacy.” Savor the exhibition, buy the catalog overlooked is Randolph Caldecott, for script material associated with Hans Lest we think that the standing of and have fun discussing with your whom the Caldecott Medal is named, Christian Andersen, Walter Crane, children’s literature within the rare- friends which titles were crowned with the prize awarded annually “to the and other personages book realm is purely a theoretical issue, the Grolier Club imprimatur and artist of the most distinguished from this sphere are on view as well. consider the suit recently brought by which did not make the grade. As Chris American picture book for children” by A colloquium titled “Journeys the Rosenbach Museum and Library Loker looks on it, “Isn’t it great to have a division of the American Library Through Bookland: Explorations in against the estate of Maurice Sendak, energy surrounding decisions about Association. Children’s Literature” will be mounted the author and illustrator of Where the what’s in and what’s out? It means that In contrast to the chronological on Tuesday, January 20. Experts in Wild Things Are, who left his rare book people are interested enough in chil- approach of the catalog, the exhibition the area of children’s literature will collection to the institution. dren’s literature to care.” is organized topically into the following address aspects of “the history, present As The Philadelphia Inquirer recent- The Grolier Club is at 47 East 60th groupings: Fairy Tales and Fables, and future of the book for children.” ly reported, “According to the suit, the Street. For information, www.grolier- Nursery Rhymes, Faith, Learning, In regard to the market for antiquar- Sendak trustees have turned over club.org or 212-838-6690. Poetry, Girls and Boys, Animals, ian children’s books, Loker observed, “I fewer than half the hundreds of items Kate Eagen Johnson is an expert in Fantasy, Adventure, Novelties and am finding today’s market strong for in Sendak’s rare-book collection. In American decorative arts and an inde- Toys. Books first published in a lan- best quality children’s literature. ‘Best’ fact, the estate has told the Rosenbach pendent consultant to historical organ- guage other than English are repre- refers to books in good condition, first it had no intention of transferring own- izations. sented by both copies in the initial lan- or early editions and titles in demand. ership of several extremely valuable guage and in English. Take, for exam- Both private and institutional collec- volumes by Peter Rabbit author All photos by Robert Lorenzson ple, Orbis Sensualium Pictus (Latin: tors are active. I hope the relatively Beatrix Potter because they are chil- unless otherwise noted.