From Santa Claus, pictures by E. Welby, verses by C. Bingham.

Collins' Clear Type Press, 1906 [54] pages.Undated. Inscription dated Xmas 1914. Dated [1907] by Bodleian Library [1906] by Osborne Collection. 30 colour illustrations, 17 full-page. Front endpapers browned. Upper hinge cracked. Some offsetting. Pages evenly toned with very slight, marginal handling marks throughout. 26 x 31 cm. Original red cloth backed, pictorial, printed, paper-covered boards. Spine somewhat soiled with handling producing an even patination. Lower board slightly abraded with historic slight damp stains. Corners worn. Edges slightly chipped. Upper cover with E. Welby's printed signature in lower right hand corner, depicting Santa and his helpers handing out toys from a huge burlap sack. Some insignificant scratches. Clifton Bingham (1859-1913) contributed to a large number of Children's books. Ellen Ann Welby (1851-1936) lived as a spinster, without a husband or children to look after, to have a more independent life supporting herself as an artist in pottery (for Minton in Kensington), embroidery, commercial design and illustration (for books and Christmas cards). This publication appears to be rare with WorldCat locating three copies worldwide (Oxford, Cambridge and the National Library of Scotland). Not in the British Library. The black doll illustrations are unacceptably offensive but not considered so 114 years ago when published.. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good.