In Kewpie Land

[Melbourne? : Gordon and Gotch?, c. 1920]. Quarto, illustrated cards, pp. [16], printed in green and pink throughout, full-page illustrations, printed gift vignette inside upper board completed in manuscript, small splits to spine, minor stains and edge wear, a very good copy. Imprint on lower board ‘Gordon Series. Designed and printed in Australia’. The author’s name appears on the final page.

Very rare, with only two examples recorded at auction (Australian Book Auctions, 2007 and 2012, both sold for AUD $990), who note:

‘Extremely scarce: a delightful Australian interpretation of the then hugely popular Kewpie doll (“Each Kewpie owns a kangaroo | As swift as any horse…”). Most illustrations are signed with initials W.J.H., that on page 7 is signed in full by W.J. Hosking.’

Two examples recorded on Trove: NLA; SLV.

Not in Muir.