1871 – The Poultry Yard

“The Poultry Yard”, is a full page book plate illustration taken from “The History of the Robins” by Mrs Trimmer, showing a country scene with family out in the Poultry Yard, feeding the collection of birds. 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.  On occasion, artists sometimes include portraits of their family members in their work, and we suspect that in this case, Weir may have drawn his entire family that were still living at home. Certainly the date and the ages of all concerned, would be a good match. This image, is available currently in A4, A3 and A2 sizing options.