#edith howes

Artist: Florence Mary Anderson

Alice W. Polson, ''Wonderwings'' by Edith Howes, 1918 These images were taken from the International Children’s Digital Library that was hosted by the University of Maryland’s Computer Science Department. Not that long ago the library was shut down and the books that were hosted there disappeared from the internet. Recently, an abridged version (of sorts) of the ICDL was relaunched. Alas, “Wonderwings” was not among the books to return from oblivion so I cannot do my usual linking to the source.  Thankfully, right before this tragedy happened, I spent several hours acquiring dozens of book images from the ICDL which I will be gradually posting whenever I get the time to edit them and make them a bit more presentable (to my tastes). I had no idea that the library was about to be discontinued. I felt relieved that I had finally taken the time to archive some of the images for myself (and, eventually, whoever happens to come across this tumblr).  The “new” abridged version of the International Children’s Digital Library can be viewed here. 

''Maoriland Fairy Tales'' by Edith Howes, 1913 (artist not credited) Source

''Maoriland Fairy Tales'' by Edith Howes, 1913 (artist not credited) Source

Wonderwings and other fairy stories, by Edith Howes. Illustrated by Alice Polson. Whitcombe & Tombs Limited. Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, N.Z. Melbourne and London. Edited in 1918. .WONDERWINGS. Poppypink laughed with joy. "I am so glad, so very glad !" she said. "I have forgotten all about my wings."

Wonderwings and other Fairy Stories, by Edith Howes. Illustrated by Alice Polson. Whitcombe & Tombs Limited Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, N.Z. Melbourne and London. Edited in 1918. .WONDERWINGS. Wonderwings smiled down at her. " Such wings as mine are only to be won in sadder lands than these," she said. " If you would have them you must leave your fairyland and come where humans live, and where hunger and sorrow and death trample the city streets." " I will come !" cried Poppypink. "I will come !". " Come then," said Wonderwings. She took the little fairy's hand, and up they all rose into the clear air, flying far away till they left their fairyland behind and came at last to the sadder lands where humans lived.

The Cradle Ship by Edith Howes - Published by Cassell & Co.; 1916. This edition 1936. Illustrations by Florence Mary Anderson.