May 18, 2016 - Sale 2416

Sale 2416 - Lot 81

Unsold
Estimate: $ 1,500 - $ 2,500
(CHILDREN'S LITERATURE.) [NURSERY RHYMES.] Stephens, Henry Louis. Group of six Proof Copies. Illustrated, after designs by Stephens. Includes lithographed titles on pink grounds with large circular vignette illustrations and decorative gold borders in each, plus a total of 86 leaves printed on rectos only, each with a full-page gray-tinted mounted lithograph, on card. Large 4to, publisher's brown cloth, gilt stamped central device repeated on front and rear covers within blind rules, all edges gilt, fraying to spine tips and corners, few stray marks; occasional foxing, heaviest to tissue guards. Comprises: A Frog He Would Awooing Go * Death and Burial of Poor Cock Robin * Old Mother Hubbard * The Fox and the Geese * The Five Little Pigs * The House That Jack Built. New York: Julius Bien for Hurd & Houghton, 1864; 1865

Additional Details

limited edition "proof impressions," each limited to 100 copies printed for subscribers according to the printed limitation statement on the verso of each title-page, in the rare original issue (not the later 2-volume compilation). Excellent set by the illustrator called "the father of the American picture book."