Lot 20: COX, Palmer (1840-1924). Twenty-six original pen-and-ink drawings for The Brownies: Their

COX, Palmer (1840-1924). Twenty-six original pen-and-ink drawings for The Brownies: Their Book, published New York, 1887. Various sizes from 1 1/2 x 1 1/4 in. to 6 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. (38 x 32 mm to 165 x 165 mm), each mounted to an 8vo sheet, laid in blue quarter morocco slipcase. (A few with some light soiling, some loose from mounts.) Provenance: Thomas A. McGraw, M.D. (bookplate, sold Parke Bernet, 11 April 1967, lot 44).

A FINE SERIES OF DRAWINGS FOR THE FIRST 'BROWNIE' BOOK. Cox published these popular juvenile books over a period of thirty years, beginning with The Brownies: Their Book in 1887. Palmer had originally introduced The Brownies in St. Nicholas magazine before this first book appearance. His intricate drawings often showed hundreds to a page, each one displaying a unique characteristic and personality.

The Brownie books were among the most popular series of books for children ever to appear in America. The 14 volumes about the Brownies included a cantata, a play and a primer. The Brownies: Their Book is a Peter Parley to Penrod title (p. 84, see next lot).