1913 Scarce Book - Our Nursery Rhyme Book Illustrated by Honor C. Appleton
Author: Edited by Letty Littlewood and Frank Littlewood. Illustrated by Honor C. Appleton.
Title: Our Nursery Rhyme Book.
Publisher: London, Herbert & Daniel, [1913]. First Edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 8 x 6.5 inches.
Pages: xiv, 181 pages.
Binding: Very good original publisher’s tan cloth binding, decorated in gilt with an elegant Art Nouveau design featuring clocks, birds, and flowing ornamental lines. A refined and decorative cover, in very good condition, with light general wear and gentle toning, as shown. Spine slightly mellowed but sound and attractive. Under a protective removable mylar cover. A rare find in any condition!
Content: Good to very good condition. Noticeable foxing to endpapers and preliminaries, as well as occasional scattered spotting throughout; otherwise clean and well-preserved. The front endpaper bears an ink stamp reading “With the publisher’s compliments”, suggesting a presentation or review copy issued by the publisher. A contemporary gift inscription (“From Mother, Xmas 1913”) further enhances the period character of the volume.
Illustrations: Illustrated with 12 delicate color plates by Honor C. Appleton, each with captioned guards, together with numerous charming line drawings throughout; pictorial title printed in color.
Estimate: (USD 250 – 300)
The book: A beautifully produced Edwardian nursery classic, this first edition of Our Nursery Rhyme Book gathers a rich treasury of traditional rhymes, songs, and children’s lore. From familiar Mother Goose verses to playful riddles and games, the collection captures the imaginative world of early childhood with warmth and completeness.
This copy carries particularly appealing traces of its original life: the publisher’s complimentary stamp suggests it may have been distributed for presentation or review purposes, while the Christmas 1913 gift inscription places it firmly within its moment of publication. These elements lend the book a subtle but meaningful provenance.
What truly elevates the volume is the work of Honor C. Appleton, whose delicate, dreamlike illustrations—both in color and line—imbue the text with tenderness and quiet narrative life. The decorative gilt binding, with its flowing organic motifs and balanced design, stands as a fine example of early 20th-century gift book artistry.
A classic of Edwardian children’s publishing, equally desirable for its illustrations, its design, and its evocative sense of time.
The authors: Letty and Frank Littlewood were early 20th-century editors of children’s literature, known for compiling traditional rhymes and oral material into accessible and beautifully presented volumes. Their work reflects a broader effort to preserve folklore while adapting it to the refined gift-book market of the Edwardian period.
The illustrator: Honor Charlotte Appleton was a prominent British illustrator of the Golden Age of children’s books. Her work is distinguished by soft coloration, expressive figures, and a gentle narrative sensibility. Bridging late Victorian charm and early modern illustration, her contributions to nursery literature remain among her most enduring and beloved works.