A very scarce survivor of a delightful but fragile production

Ainslie, Kathleen ~ Votes for Catharine Susan and Me

Castell Brothers Ltd, London : 1910

The sole UK printing published by Castell Brothers Ltd, London in 1910. 16mo. 23pp. The BOOK is in Very Good+ or better condition. Original illustrated cream wrappers. With plain card covers underneath. Decorated in green and grey with a striking image in the centre of two dutch dolls holding a 'votes for me' banner, both tooled up with a large bag of stones over their shoulders. There is some toning and age related markings to the outer illustrated wrappers. A little loss to the outer edges of the wrappers in places. There is some mild spotting to the inside card covers and prelims. Free from inscriptions. Light toning to the page edges. A political children's story about two dutch dolls who are recruited to join the suffragettes. Part of a series of winsome adventures of a group of dutch wooden peg dolls, which were a nursery staple of the period. This title is very scarce and the most sought after, with currently only six copies in institutions (JSIC) and only one other presently available in commerce. 'Ainslee might have been hoping to sway her young (and older) readers with regard to which way they would perceive the cause for obtaining the vote for women. Her story can be seen as anti-suffrage as she warns its reader of the perils of misbehaving. Its protagonists ultimately in the end decide it's best to go home - after being arrested, imprisoned and going on a hunger strike'. Illustrated in the 'Catalogue of the Cotsen Children's Library' (No. 170). A very scarce survivor of a delightful but fragile production. Protected in a loose Mylar archival folder.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Very Good+