1876 – Stop thief!

“Stop Thief!” is a full page frontispiece book plate image, taken from “Ways and Tricks of Animals”, by Mary Hooper, published by Griffith & Farran, circa 1879. The illustration is dated 1876 and the theme of ‘Stop thief’ is a recurring one, which Weir had illustrated a number of times.  The book itself is a compilation of stories about Aunt Mary’s pets..and some of the illustrations are from earlier publications under different names, most notably those from “Crib and Fly” by the same publishing house. It was not uncommon for the story books published in England to be repackaged and republished under an alternative title in the United States.  Mary Hooper, was already famous as a Cookery instructor and her many books on cookery were well established. Like other successful authors, they often turned their attentions (or were directed to do so by their publishers) to story books about Animals for children, which were so very popular in Victorian England.

Prints currently available of this image in A4 and A3 sizing options.