Unsigned cover for Henry Leslie’s ‘Little Songs for Me to Sing’

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Cloth binding for Leslie’s ‘Little Songs for Me to Sing’

[1867]

Cloth gilt

6¾ x 6¾ inches

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Scan and text by Simon Cooke [Click on image to enlarge it, and mouse over the text for links.]

[You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link to this URL in a web document or cite it in a print one.]

Millais provided the lyrical illustrations of children, but he is not known to have designed any book covers and does not seem to have designed this charming piece of Romantic country life. However, the book is embellished with rustic borders and floral ornaments to match the cover, and these may have been by the artist who created the binding. The birds on the upper board are rendered realistically but also work emblematically as emblems of the children who will sing Leslie’s music.

Bibliography

Leslie, Henry. Little Songs for Me to Sing. London: Cassell, Petter, & Galpin [1867].

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