Children’s books from the late nineteenth century have the best illustrations. Here’s why:
They are charming.
From Round the Hearth [and other verses], 1889.
They are nonsensical.
From Lilliput Lyrics. Illustrated by Chas. Robinson, 1899.
They are stylish.
From Songs for Little People. Illustrated by H. Stratton, 1896.
They are whimsical.
From Artful Anticks, 1894.
They are weird.
From Songs for Little People. Illustrated by H. Stratton, 1896.
They are goofy.
From When Life is Young: a collection of verse for boys and girls, 1894.
They are wistful.
From Lilliput Lyrics. Illustrated by Chas. Robinson, 1899.
They are…well, I don’t really have a word to describe this. Do you?
From Lilliput Lyrics. Illustrated by Chas. Robinson, 1899.
They are scary, in a non-harmful kind of way.
From Lilliput Lyrics. Illustrated by Chas. Robinson, 1899.
They are timeless.
From Lilliput Lyrics. Illustrated by Chas. Robinson, 1899.
They are intricate.
From Lilliput Lyrics. Illustrated by Chas. Robinson, 1899.
They are beautiful.
From Lilliput Lyrics. Illustrated by Chas. Robinson, 1899.
They are entertaining.
From the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Illustrated by Kate Greenaway, 1889.
They are literary.Â
From The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, 1895.
All images are from The British Library’s flickr account, and are in the public domain.
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea. 
So love the ‘mans naked foot in the shore’ illustration. We have been collecting childrens books from the early 20th century for some time, particularly school text books. We must do a post as they often have a punchy utopian vision of the world that is delightful.
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There were so many to choose from. It was difficult for me to narrow down.
I have a smallish collection of textbooks, too, going back to the 1850s. I never intended to collect them, it just sort of happened. Mine are all geared to older students, though.
You should definitely do a post. What fun!
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These are lovely. Thank you.
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You are most welcome! Thanks for stopping by.
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For your readers visiting NYC, there is an excellent exhibition for FREE at the main branch of the new york public library about children’s lit. Lots of illustrations, too! http://wp.me/pc1LK-GC
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Thanks for sharing! It sounds wonderful.
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I look at these beautiful illustrations and can’t help but think that kids today are getting ripped off.
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I agree! Some of these illustrations are intensely beautiful or weird. They are great, and nothing at all like what you see in books today.
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