1871 – The Persecuted Canary

“The Persecuted Canary”, is a full page book plate illustration taken from “The History of the Robins” by Mrs Trimmer. The original story was published in the early part of the 19th century and became a beloved and popular classic children’s story, used to entertain and educate young ones, on the correct and kind treatment of animals. It was subsequently republished several times and re-illustrated by a number of different artists, among the better known, Edmund Evans and Harrison Weir. This edition, with illustrations by Weir, was published by Griffith & Farran, sometime between 1869 and 1871. It contains 24 illustrations by Weir, all of them engraved by long time friend and colleague, John Greenaway.  In this day and age of digital and remote nature photography, it is easy to forget that such an image 150 years ago, could only be created with knowledge, experience and imagination, all coming together on paper. This image, is available currently in A4, A3 and A2 sizing options.