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The Black Cat book

J. W. Copeland

Technique

London : Blackie & son, Limited

Exhibition

Books of the old house

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J. W. Copeland

The black Cat book

Read at the E-Library

https://dlib.rsl.ru/viewer/01009692209#? page=1

The family of Nicholas II considered relations not only with Germany, but also with England, English relatives and English culture to be very important. Empress Alexandra Feodorovna was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, and Nicholas II himself was a cousin of King George V. The family often spoke and wrote letters and notes in English.

The children of Nicholas II loved English books with pretty pictures. The daughters of the Romanovs owned original publications in English about black cats and about white kittens, as well as about white and black puppies.

The book about black cats belonged to Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna.

The book ‘The black Cat book’ with a dedication to the Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna from 1906

This cute little book was very popular and even translated into Russian. Its Russian version named Black Cats for Sweet Little Ones can be seen in the Girls’ Room.

It was illustrated by the famous English artist Charles Robinson, well known to Russian publishers as a very bright representative of the Art Nouveau style.

In the late 19th — early 20th century, Russian publishers were willing to translate English children’s books. At that time, England had a real boom in children’s literature and book illustrations. It was English picture books that inspired many Russian authors. Charles Robinson was also known in Russia as an Illustrator of Alice in Wonderland. Russian readers did not like first translations of the famous tale, but they were delighted with the illustrations.

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Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Ch. Robinson. “A large pigeon had flown into her face” (1907, London: Cassell & Company, opp., p. 68)

Charles Robinson’s other most famous works include Alice in Wonderland (1907), Grimms’ Fairy Tales (1910), The Secret Garden (1911), and many others.

Charles Robinson did not just illustrate, but designed the layout of the entire book, including all the smallest details. He became one of the outstanding book designers.

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Fragments of illustrations by Charles Robinson from “The black Cat book”

The Black Cat book

J. W. Copeland

Technique

London : Blackie & son, Limited

Exhibition

Books of the old house

Point your smartphone camera to open in the app

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