1910 · London
by Patricchio, Caterina
London: Dean’s Rag Book, Co. Ltd, 1910. 4to. 320 x 170 mm., [12 ½ x 6 ½ inches]. Printed cover and back leaf colored on both sides, plus two interior leaves (4 pages) printed on one side only in color with identifying text. The six leaves are stitched together along the fold creating a spine that holds the cloth leaves together. Cloth book is illustrated with images of everyday objects colored in reds, yellows, greens, and browns, with a text printed in brown ink. Edges of cloth are a bit frayed, some minor fading to color on front leaf, some minor spotting. Otherwise, a very good copy.
An early publication in the “Dean’s Rag Book” series with patent numbers and “quite indestructible” dogs logo on the rear panel. Charming individual pictures of the objects, creatures, and creations in the garden, including cabbage, sun-dial, dove-cote, bees & Beehives. It also contains specific names for flowers (fuchsia, pansy, arum, lily, narcissus).
Not much is known of the artist, Caterina Patricchio (fl. 1900-1920). She was the daughter of Giuseppe Patricchio (1833-1914), a painter and teacher of art in England in the later years of the 19th century. Caterina, or Catherina as she sometimes signed her work, was a very accomplished artist working both in watercolor and pen and ink line drawing medium. She not only made artwork for “Dean’s Rag Book” series but also illustrated children’s books for C. W. Daniel Ltd., Thomas Nelson and Sons, and T. C. and E. C. Jack Ltd., and others.
“Dean’s Rag Book Company was founded in 1903 by Henry Samuel Dean to produce rag books for children. However, their expertise in working with cloth, printing and "patterns" also led them to branch out into other enterprises such as making soft toys and cut-out books. The "Rag Books" made by Deans were simple printed cloth books with edges cut with a zig-zag "clothmaking shears" pattern. Rag books were ideal for very small children, they were cheap, pages couldn't be torn out and eaten, they were difficult to deface, it didn't matter if the child fell asleep with one (as they were soft and comfortable), and ... ultimately ... if they ended up saturated with drool or mud (or worse), they could easily be washed and sterilized.” (Brighton Toy Museum, UK).
Scarce title from a popular series, only 1 copy cited in OCLC (Princeton University). (Inventory #: 1271)
An early publication in the “Dean’s Rag Book” series with patent numbers and “quite indestructible” dogs logo on the rear panel. Charming individual pictures of the objects, creatures, and creations in the garden, including cabbage, sun-dial, dove-cote, bees & Beehives. It also contains specific names for flowers (fuchsia, pansy, arum, lily, narcissus).
Not much is known of the artist, Caterina Patricchio (fl. 1900-1920). She was the daughter of Giuseppe Patricchio (1833-1914), a painter and teacher of art in England in the later years of the 19th century. Caterina, or Catherina as she sometimes signed her work, was a very accomplished artist working both in watercolor and pen and ink line drawing medium. She not only made artwork for “Dean’s Rag Book” series but also illustrated children’s books for C. W. Daniel Ltd., Thomas Nelson and Sons, and T. C. and E. C. Jack Ltd., and others.
“Dean’s Rag Book Company was founded in 1903 by Henry Samuel Dean to produce rag books for children. However, their expertise in working with cloth, printing and "patterns" also led them to branch out into other enterprises such as making soft toys and cut-out books. The "Rag Books" made by Deans were simple printed cloth books with edges cut with a zig-zag "clothmaking shears" pattern. Rag books were ideal for very small children, they were cheap, pages couldn't be torn out and eaten, they were difficult to deface, it didn't matter if the child fell asleep with one (as they were soft and comfortable), and ... ultimately ... if they ended up saturated with drool or mud (or worse), they could easily be washed and sterilized.” (Brighton Toy Museum, UK).
Scarce title from a popular series, only 1 copy cited in OCLC (Princeton University). (Inventory #: 1271)
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