Robert Louis Stevenson’s collection, A Child’s Garden of Verses, is truly a classic. I’ve mentioned one of my favorites, Bed in Summer, before. It’s a beautiful collection of verse.
Jessie Willcox Smith is also one of my favorite illustrators. Imagine my delight when I found an old hardbound copy that was a joint effort from those two individuals! With thick pages and gorgeous illustrations, it is truly a gem.
It has a copyright date of 1905, and an inscription dated December 1919. Old enough that the letter “u” is printed like a “v”. When I hold it I can’t help but wonder at the journey this book has had through many sets of loving hands to mine. Black and white illustrations are on every page with color illustrations sprinkled throughout.
A few of my favorites:
Of all the unique characteristics of this little old gem, I might love the endpaper the most. Open the cover, and this is the first thing you see.
Instead of blank paper, it’s covered with a wallpaper style illustration. It takes my breath away.
I’d like an entire wall of it, please. Better yet, can someone please reproduce this in a quilter’s cotton? I’ll take several yards. Seriously, this would be so cute on the back of a quilt! I’ve got to think of something awesome to do with it. Scrapbook paper would be an easy one, but I don’t scrapbook anymore. Ideas, anyone?
For now, happy reading!
Jennifer
