Catalog Archive
Auction 135, Lot 748

"[Lot of 2 - Zinc Printing Plates from Little Pictures of Japan]",

Subject: Printing

Period: 1925 (published)

Publication:

Color:

Size:
6 x 9 inches
15.2 x 22.9 cm
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In 1925 Olive Beaupre Miller wrote "Little Pictures of Japan" as one part from her My Travelship series of children's books. Each page features beautiful Japanese-style art and a series of haiku poetry. The My Travelship was a three-volume collection that introduced children to other lands through folktales and literature. This lot contains two of the original zinc engraved plates used to print the book. They are mounted on thick wooden blocks One is for page 41 "Beneath Pear Blossoms" with one poem below the beautiful image. The other plate is page 47 with images of young Japanese children chasing fireflies and a vignette of a firefly. It has three poems: The Firefly Lights his Lamp; Fireflies in the Water Weeds; and Fireflies at Daybreak. A rare set as most plates were destroyed after the print run was complete.

Miller (1883 - 1968) was an American author, editor and publisher fine children's literature. She founded the Book House for Children publishing company in 1919 printing popular children’s literature. The company was unique as it employed predominately women. Read more about Ms. Miller here.

References:

Condition: A+

No flaws.

Estimate: $160 - $240

Sold for: $130

Closed on 2/16/2011

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