Rare Antique Florence Kate Upton Print, Dutch Dolls, Longmans, Green & Co

This is a page from an original book, dated 1896

Longmans, Green & Co - London

Mounted 32cm x 26cm approx

Good used condition for age, with only slight discolouration and wear 

The author, Florence Kate Upton (1873-1922), an American-born English cartoonist was best known for her Go*liwo*g series. The Go*liwo*g character was inspired by an old children's toy found by Upton and this title is his first appearance before becoming the dominant character in subsequent titles. It was to be her inspiration when in 1895 she produced a series of illustrations to accompany a poem-story her mother, Bertha Upton, had written.

"Two Dutch Dolls and a Go*liwo*g" was the first of 12 books the Uptons would publish. They were immediately popular in England and Europe and the name (eventually shortened to 'go*liw*g') became an iconic figure, with the release of go*liw*g dolls and brand logos and other books adopting the character.

During recent decades the Go*liwo*g series were at the heart of the debate about whether the main character is a lovable icon or a racist symbol. In the 1960s' many Go*liwo*g books were withdrawn from public libraries and many related images were destroyed.

The first Go*liwo*g story was produced in 1894. The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls and a 'Go*liwo*g' was published for Christmas 1895. Through the years Florence and Bertha, her mother, collaborated on a total of thirteen Go*liwo*g adventures, the series ending in 1909, when Florence sought a career as a professional artist. 

Picture box 20