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 had plenty of amusement coloring. A book was quickly filled up and when the manuscript was shown to the publisher Cassell, there was no question that it should be printed up for the delight of more children than Lionel Crane. It’s a sentimental favorite and I hope this except will restore your holiday good cheer.
Let the revels begin!