Walter Crane, Legends for Lionel. London: Cassell, 1887, pages 24-5. (Cotsen 11587)
On this unseasonably cold fourth day of Christmas 2017, a peek into Walter Crane’s Legends for Lionel should cheer us up for the New Year that is nearly here. According to the preface, Crane made these drawings for his son Lionel in spare moments on cold winter evenings so the boy could amuse himself coloring. A book was quickly filled up and when the manuscript was shown to the publisher Cassell, there was no question that it must be printed up for the delight of children outside the Crane family. A sentimental favorite, may these selections brighten up the holiday..
With his trusty lamp, Lion begins the holiday hunt on page 6.
Lionel hurries out of the cold into the welcoming house on page 9.
Everyone knows--or ought to--that fairies can fly. All the thoroughly modern tooth fairies illustrated in this summer's post about "Rewriting the Tooth Fairy's Job Description," no matter what they were wearing, had wings. These magical beings may not have acquired this essential power until relatively late in their history. Unfortunately,…
Identifying the fairy in this famous illustration isn't hard. This next example isn't difficult either... Don't be too quick to say there aren't any fairies in this lovely drawing by William Blake.... Did Blake forget to draw the wings on the dancing fairies???? That's a good question to which I don't have…
Contained within the unassuming binding above lies a secret treasure trove of Victorian ephemera. Compiled between 1872 and 1878 by none other than Helen Leech Potter, Beatrix Potter's mother, this quarto volume is an album of cards for Valentine's Day and Christmas given to young Beatrix, beginning when she was…
In "19th century"
One thought on “A Walter Crane Christmas: Legends for Lionel”
Terrific posting! And perfect for the season too! What a great illustrator that Crane was.
Terrific posting! And perfect for the season too! What a great illustrator that Crane was.