R. Caldecott’s Picture Book No. 1 – Warne Ltd c.1920 w/ Dust Jacket Illustrated
 
R. Caldecott’s Picture Book No. 1 – Illustrated by Randolph Caldecott (Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., c. 1917 – 1940s)
 
Description:

R. Caldecott’s Picture Book No. 1 contains three classic illustrated tales:
The Diverting History of John Gilpin (a poem by William Cowper)
The Three Jovial Huntsmen
An Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog
Illustrated throughout in colour and black and white by Randolph Caldecott, and engraved and printed by Edmund Evans, Ltd., Rose Place, Globe Road, London E.1. Published by Frederick Warne & Co., Ltd., London and New York, this undated volume most likely dates between c. 1917 and the 1940s, based on the publisher’s limited-company imprint (introduced 1917) and the known printing address used during that period.
 
Physical Details:
 
Publisher: Frederick Warne & Co., Ltd., London and New York
Printer: Edmund Evans, Ltd., Rose Place, Globe Road, London E.1
Format: Small hardback (approx. 13.9 × 12 × 1.4 cm)
Weight: c. 177 grams
Pagination: 87 pages, all present
Illustrations: Beautiful colour and black-and-white illustrations throughout by Randolph Caldecott
Binding: Pictorial paper-covered boards with matching illustrated dust jacket
Dust Jacket: Original pictorial jacket present (believed from the 1920s or 1930s)
 
Condition Report:
 
Exterior:
The original pictorial dust jacket is intact but shows wear and ageing consistent with its age — rips to the edges, light discolouration, and small losses, yet the design remains clear and striking. A clipped segment on the inner flap and a previous owner’s name in pen are noted. Underneath, the pale boards display the same delightful illustration as the dust jacket and remain clean and robust, with minor marks, light tanning, and a small tear to the top of the spine.
 
Interior:
Thick, bright pages with beautifully printed illustrations. The pages are clean and neat for their age, showing only occasional small creases or light marks. There are no pen or pencil marks within the book (besides the previously mentioned name on the dust jacket). All pages are present and secure within a firm binding.
 
Historical Context:
 
Randolph Caldecott (1846 – 1886) was one of Victorian Britain’s most influential illustrators. His collaborations with engraver Edmund Evans and publisher Frederick Warne helped define the golden age of illustrated children’s books. Caldecott’s dynamic style inspired later artists such as Beatrix Potter, and his legacy endures in the prestigious Caldecott Medal named in his honour.