BEATRICE CRANE HER BOOK (THE 2nd), JUNE 1st 1879. by Walter Crane - 1983

Toronto: Friends of the Osborne and Lillian H. Smith Collections, Toronto Public Library, 1983. 9 pp + unpaginaged facsimile reproduction of Crane's journal, 8vo (8 1/8" H). Printed in a limited edition of 2000 copies. Profusely illustrated with reproductions of Crane 's charming watercolours. " 'Beatrice Crane Her Book (The 2nd) June Ist 1879', published here for the first time, is a charming series of forty-six captioned water colours, spontaneously and joyfully created by a father for his daughter, mingling family fun, folklore and fantasy over a Victorian summer. The Osborne manuscript is a plain black notebook (now well worn and shiny), typical of the many which Crane purchased for this purpose. For the facsimile edition, the cloth binding (similar in texture and tone to the original) has been embellished with a design blocked in gold. It is taken from Walter Crane's original pen and ink sketch - also held by the Osborne Collection - depicting a flying crane holding in its beak the artist's signature in the form of his characteristic rebus. The Cranes were a lively, gifted and secure family, with rich and varied lives, tinged by the romantic and the unconventional; the unstudied pages of (this book) offer a privileged glimpse." Small shallow dint to last few pages due to very small lump under rear pastedown, very light edge wear, very light rubbing to boards. . Limited Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket - (as issued). Illus. by Walter Crane..