Jane Laing — Cicely Mary Barker and Her Art

London, Frederick Warne, 1995. First edition. Hardback. This handsome first edition, first impression of an illustrated study of Cecily Mary Barker's career, with the original unclipped dust wrapper. The first edition, first impression of the work.With the original unclipped dust wrapper.Abundantly illustrated with colour vignette reproductions of Cicely Mary Barker's art, from her beloved Flower Fairy paintings to her religious works.Cicely Mary Barker was an English illustrator and the creator of the Flower Fairies paintings which have proved immensely popular since their first appearance in 1923. Unable to attend school as a result of her epilepsy, Barker instead dedicated this time to her reading and her art. The artist found her niche within the vogue for fairy paintings which emerged during the Victorian era and which continued under the reign of Queen Mary, who would often send fairy-themed postcards to her friends. Cicely Mary Barker and Her Art is a fascinating study of Barker's career which features specific chapters on these Flower Fairy paintings, on Barker's paintings of children, and on her religious works. Full bound in the original publisher's paper wraps. Externally, very excellent with just a touch of bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. Wrapper is likewise very excellent with just marginal edgewear. Slight offsetting and very mild foxing to the endpapers and to the first and last blank leaves. Internally, firmly bound with bright, clean pages. Near Fine . Ill.: With reproductions of illustrations by Cecily Mary Barker. Near Fine/Fine.