Vintage children's illustration

September 15, 2010 11:41 PM

Flickr user katinthecupboard has scanned and posted nearly 2000 vintage illustrations, largely from children's books. Luckily they have been organized into collections and sets, and extensively tagged. There's so much in there that I hesitate to point out any individual images I especially like, but here's a few starters: A foppish Mercury, freezing child Jesus in modern city, children playing with sunbeam, boy with a bone-whistle, dancing fairies, bathing silhouettes and sailing ship and merman riding a sea creature.
posted by Kattullus (17 comments total)

This (presumably tedious process) was definitely a worthwhile effort, thanks for the link!
posted by spiderskull at 1:07 AM on September 16, 2010

Thanks, Kattulus!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:16 AM on September 16, 2010

Oh man. Cold baths. Cold community baths at that. I miss the 1930s.
posted by IvoShandor at 3:42 AM on September 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

Sweet damn, I will be using these in a Kall of Kthulhu for Kids kampaign. This is awesome!
posted by adipocere at 3:48 AM on September 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

What a feast of wonderfulness! Thanks Katullus. I loved your choice of illustrations as well.
posted by nickyskye at 4:17 AM on September 16, 2010

These are lovely, thanks.
posted by ceiriog at 4:35 AM on September 16, 2010

Lovely. I'm on jury duty today (thankfully with wi-fi) and now I have something to do!
posted by Sweetie Darling at 5:21 AM on September 16, 2010

This is wonderful.
posted by The Whelk at 6:59 AM on September 16, 2010

Great stuff, cheers.
posted by dng at 7:05 AM on September 16, 2010

Oh these are awesome and very handy! Thanks!
posted by mygothlaundry at 7:41 AM on September 16, 2010

I like little Jesus lost in the big city. I also agree that the little boy with the bone flute is cool.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 7:45 AM on September 16, 2010

Google image search for 'dancing fairies' ("did you mean dancing faeries"?) is sweet.
posted by meehawl at 10:14 AM on September 16, 2010

Thank you!
posted by jokeefe at 10:53 AM on September 16, 2010

So many ill-advised tattoo ideas...
posted by mykescipark at 12:29 PM on September 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

'dancing fairies' ("did you mean dancing faeries"?)

(cringe)
posted by JHarris at 2:38 PM on September 16, 2010 [1 favorite]

These are lovely! My mom probably still has "Myths and Enchantment Tales" on her bookshelf - I remember those gorgeous illustrations very well, and it's a delight to see them again after so many years.
posted by Devika at 3:21 PM on September 16, 2010

The Banjo-Uke is an open invitation for you to join every social circle. It is a boon companion wherever it goes. It is the most popular musical instrument there is.
posted by roast beef at 7:37 PM on September 19, 2010 [1 favorite]