“What could you possibly want with that pile of old books?”   is something that I have heard more than once! Books and ephemera are often disregarded and thrown away, lost forever and considered of no value. I on the other hand, like nothing more than a foxed piece of old paper and endpapers plastered with awards, library borrower slips and scrawled with dedications! As a collector, book addict, and a Book Designer, I would never suggest destroying a gorgeous old book to use the artwork inside…

Empire Annual for Australian Girls

Old Books

May Gibbs

Although often incomplete and in terrible condition after years of love, antique and vintage children’s books deliver the most enchanting imagery. The photograph here shows a wonderful coloured plate from an old tattered 1962 reprint of the May Gibbs classic, ‘Snugglepot and Cuddlepie’.

I love to discover black and white line art in old children’s annuals and magazine volumes such as ‘The Girl’s Own Annual’. Sometimes the cover alone is a visual treat ‘The Empire Annual for Australian Girls’ pictured above is a particular favourite of mine.

(Note: Original article first published over at the Butterflyrocket Blog – August 2009 )