Walter Crane – Illustrations for Queen Summer 1891
Queen Summer (1891) – by Walter Crane
Queen Summer (1901) Limited Edition
This exquisite 1891 children’s book, Queen Summer, is a lyrical celebration of the season, written and illustrated by the renowned British artist Walter Crane. Published by Cassell & Co. in London, the book is a visual and poetic ode to the warmth, abundance, and joy of summer, personified as a radiant monarch ruling over a kingdom of flowers, fruits, and frolicking children. Crane’s illustrations—rich in color and intricate detail—showcase his signature Arts and Crafts style, with flowing lines, decorative borders, and a harmonious blend of nature and fantasy. Each page is a masterpiece of design, filled with sun-drenched landscapes, garlanded maidens, and playful cherubs, all rendered in Crane’s distinctive, idealized aesthetic.
A radiant artifact of Victorian book arts, Queen Summer is a testament to Crane’s dual legacy as both a children’s storyteller and a visionary of design.
About the Illustrator Walter Crane (1845–1915) was a key figure in the Golden Age of Illustration and a foundational member of the Arts and Crafts Movement, alongside William Morris. A master of book design, Crane believed that illustration should enhance and be in harmony with the text. His work is characterized by strong lines, flattened perspective, and rich symbolism, often inspired by classical and mythological themes. In Queen Summer, his talents are on full display: each page is a carefully composed visual tableau, with stylized typography and Art Nouveau influences woven into the poetic content.
Crane’s books were not merely illustrated texts but total works of art, and Queen Summer stands among his most decorative and ambitious achievements—highly sought after by collectors of illustrated fine press books and fans of Pre-Raphaelite and Arts and Crafts aesthetics.
Recommended for Collectors
The Baby’s Opera (1877) by Walter Crane – A beloved example of his nursery rhyme illustrations
Flora’s Feast (1889) by Walter Crane – A floral fantasy in the same style as Queen Summer
A Day in a Child’s Life (1881) illustrated by Kate Greenaway – For a softer, but equally seasonal, companion
The Shepheardes Calender (1898), by Edmund Spenser, illustrated by Walter Crane – A poetic journey through the year with ornate Renaissance styling.
A Flower Wedding (1905), by Walter Crane – Another floral allegory presented as a lavishly illustrated bridal procession.
