1904 Scarce Linen Book - Mother Hubbard and her Dog, Color Illustrated
Author: Anonymous.
Title: Mother Hubbard and her Dog.
Publisher: New York, McLoughlin Bros., circa 1904. First thus.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 10.5 x 9.5 inches.
Pages: Unpaginated (14 pages).
Binding: Attractive and very good publisher’s glazed pictorial linen (rag book), printed in colours on both covers. Light dusting and gentle wear consistent with age and use, with some soft creasing to extremities as shown. A well-preserved and visually striking example under a protective, removable mylar cover.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean - as shown). The linen pages remain clean and supple, with only light, even toning. No significant tears or losses noted. A charming survival in notably solid condition for a children’s linen book of this period.
Illustrations: Profusely illustrated throughout with full-page color plates and line drawings heightened with red. The illustrations are bright, lively, and exceptionally well-preserved, capturing the humour and whimsy of the classic nursery rhyme.
Estimate: (USD 275 - USD 350).
The book: A delightful and increasingly scarce example of McLoughlin Brothers’ celebrated linen (or “rag”) books, Mother Hubbard and her Dog represents a charming chapter in early American children’s publishing. Produced circa 1904, this large-format edition was designed for durability, printed entirely on linen to withstand repeated handling by young readers.
The familiar nursery rhyme unfolds across richly illustrated pages, blending humor with a slightly mischievous edge characteristic of Victorian and Edwardian children’s literature. The bold, colourful imagery paired with decorative line work creates a visually engaging experience that remains as appealing today as when first issued.
McLoughlin’s linen books were both practical and artistic objects, and surviving copies in such appealing condition are increasingly difficult to find. This example stands as a fine representative of their ingenuity and enduring charm.
The author: The tale of Mother Hubbard is a traditional English nursery rhyme, first published in the early 19th century. Its enduring popularity lies in its playful narrative and memorable rhythm, which have captivated generations of children.
The publisher McLoughlin Brothers, active in New York from the mid-19th to the early 20th century, was a pioneer in colour printing for children’s books in America. Renowned for their innovative production methods, they popularized linen books, durable, washable, and vividly illustrated, making them highly collectible today.