Walter Crane – part 12

Walter Crane (1845–1915) was an English artist and book illustrator. He is considered to be the most prolific and influential children’s book creator of his generation and, along with Randolph Caldecott and Kate Greenaway. His work featured some of the more colourful and detailed beginnings of the child-in-the-garden motifs that would characterise many nursery rhymes and children's stories for decades to come. He was part of the Arts and Crafts movement and produced an array of paintings, illustrations, children's books, ceramic tiles and other decorative arts.

For full biographical notes on Walter Crane see part 1, and for earlier works see parts 1 - 11 also.

This is part 12 of a 12-part post on the children's books of Walter Crane:

1906 Flowers from Shakespeare's Garden:

Front cover

1911 King Arthur's Knights:

Front cover

Title page

Young Owen appeals to the King

   Arthur draws the sword from the stone

King Arthur asks the Lady of the Lake for the sword Excalibur

Sir Lancelot in The Chapel Perilous

Beaumain wins the fight at the ford

The Witch gives advice as to Sir Tristram's wound

Sir Geraint and The Lady Enid in the deserted Roman town

Young Perceval questions Sir Owen

Perceval obtains The Shield of the Beating Heart

Sir Owen greets The Lady of the Fountain

The Death-Journey of the Lily Maid of Astolat

Sir Galahad is brought to the Court of King Arthur

The fight in the Queen's ante-chamber

Sir Lancelot forbids Sir Bors to slay the King

Sir Belvedere casts the sword Excalibur into the lake

The death of Sir Lancelot

1911 Rumbo Rhymes:

Front cover

Title page 1

Title page 2

"The kingdom of the Earth's for man - 
At least he acts upon that plan."

"The victims of the pot and pan - 
Went forth against the tyrant man."

"Snakes, locusts, snails, worms, owls and bats, 
The feline race - stoats, weasels, rats."

"The lobster with his cousin crab 
Came dressed in purple trimmed with drab."

"The salmon, sole, the plaice and pike - 
In short, all sorts of fish men like."

"The 'chair' was taken by an Ape, 
A human Ourang from the Cape."

"And all of them obeyed the speaker, 
Except an Irish porcine squeaker."

"A well-bred horse was first to speak 
In nods and neighs which would be Greek."

"But up there rose with grace and ease, 
The sprightly Sultan of the fleas."

"It might do for a mouse's trap, 
But we are wise - ha ha - 'verb-sap.' "

"But as he would still try to speak, 
A starling took him in his beak."

"The crab exclaimed 'O what disgrace, 
That we of a more ancient race -' "

" An elephant declared that he 
Would always be man's enemy."

"A wild duck said that in the sky 
"Twas now impossible to fly."

"Said pretty Polly, as she woke, 
'He-haw - that's true!' exclaimed the moke."

"With soulful sigh he thus began, 
'Our common enemy is man.' "

"His submarines now plough the deep, 
And wake us when we try to sleep."

"A turkey, goose and guinea hen 
Affirmed their troubles came from men."

" A lion roaring in his rage, 
Suggested hot irons and a cage."

"The worm not only turned but shook, 
And squirmed as if upon a hook."

"Man had no friend except the dog."

"The man who heeds not simply dies. 
'Hic jacet' marking where he lies."

End-paper