Description
Here is an interesting “Three Little Pigs Painting Book” illustrated by famed Oz illustrator John R. Neill. Published by Henry Altemus, copyright 1904, and henryaltemus.com, who dates its publication at 1915. This book contains 12 color illustrations on one page with a black and white rendering on the opposite page so the little tykes can “paint” it in. Painting books were apparently the predecessors of coloring books, which became popular once crayons were in greater supply. The in-between pages are blank, either to prevent paint bleed through or to allow the kiddies to do their own art. Also with illustrated Piggie endpapers that include instructions on working w/ paints. While Neill is not credited on the title page, the illustrations are clearly the same as the ones he created for the earlier Altemus Three Little Pigs non-painting books, and the Henry Altemus site credits Neill as well. Size is 7″ by 9 1/4″. Scarce; no other copies of this book online at the time of listing.
The book’s condition is fair to good overall, with some staining to the cover and wear to spine, board edges and corners. Inside, the hinges are lightly cracked but holding. No writing or tears though the last illustration and blank rear endpaper are loose (but included), and two of the paining pages have been neatly painted.
