I'm lucky to own a copy of this wonderful book, mine with an extremely torn and tatty dust cover.
However, it's not the outside that matters, it's all about Clare Leighton's magnificent illustrations.
These are two of my favourites from the book; lopping the Willows (February), above, and ploughing (November) below.
I'm not sure what other work Ms Leighton produced, but her month by month Farmer's Year is a total delight, and it's what she's mostly known for.
Google images should supply the rest of the illustrations.
I just googled her and see she has lots of other books and woodcut engravings - on e-bay a first edition of A Farmers Year for $1,414.00
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much my one is worth; certainly not $1,400. Mine is also a first edition, but quite scruffy.
DeleteI like those pictures. I wonder if this book is available at the Guttenberg site. I'll pop over and check.
ReplyDeleteShe was a wonderful artist. Wood block engraving is very unforgiving.
DeleteWonderful illustrations. I'm going to do a quick search as well. I would like to see and read more
ReplyDeleteShe's worth looking at; especially the rest of the illustrations from the book.
DeleteCoincidence! I dreamed last night that I threw out a very old newspaper which I was desperately trying to fish out from the street dustbins after my grandfather appeared telling me he had his savings hidden inside each page.
ReplyDeleteI like the second illustration. I am going to go read about her now.
Greetings Maria x
'Frustration' dreams are very upsetting, and can bug you for days, but how many of us ever have 'achievement' dreams?
DeleteI can see why you would like them, especially the top one. The bottom one is a little too 'heroic' I think.
ReplyDeleteIt does have a Russian look about it.
DeleteI do love her work. I looked up more this morning and had no idea she was so prolific. She led an interesting life with bohemian mother. I will see if I can find a copy of her biography of her mother. I note I share the same birthday as Miss Leighton.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if she shared a family link with my old friend, the painter Sara Leighton, but I think not.
DeleteShe seems to have led a rather sad childhood and was not particularly lucky in love either. No wonder she went to live abroad.
DeleteShe wasn't what you'd call 'glamorous'.
DeleteShe had her moments.
DeleteReminds me of the Lino cut we have just bought
ReplyDeleteThat's what made me think of Ms Leighton!
DeleteI've had it on my Amazon wish list for ever but it's either unavailable or £50+ so it's not likely to ever get here. Stupidly sold a copy of Four Hedges when we were buying and selling country books at shows. That was before I appreciated the drawings
ReplyDeleteFifty quid doesn't sound bad. You could probably put it straight back on Ebay, and double your money!
DeleteI like what I see. Gosh, the last one is just brilliant.
ReplyDeleteShe manages to put great power into her images.
DeleteReminds me of images from the 1920's and 30's in the USA.
ReplyDeleteI think this book was first published in the 1930's.
DeleteReminds me of Rockwell Kent. Same period.
ReplyDeleteIt's the post Blake influence.
DeleteWonderful, Reminds me of Thomas Hart Benton and the American Artist of the 1930 and early 40's.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip
Wonderful pictures Cro - I love the easy flow of the lines.
ReplyDelete