W. W. Denslow Drawings, 1903

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Summary

Creators:
Denslow, W. W., 1856-1915
Abstract:
The collection consists of original artwork by W. W. Denslow for Denslow's House That Jack Built,Denslow's Little Red Riding Hood, and Denslow's Three Bears, all part of the Denslow's Picture Books for Children series published by G.W. Dillingham Co. in 1903.
Extent:
2 oversize flat boxes (2 linear feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item/Title of folder], W. W. Denslow Drawings (BASC 13), Book Arts & Special Collections, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of original pen and ink illustrations by W. W. Denslow for Denslow’s House That Jack Built (4 leaves), Denslow’s Little Red Riding Hood (11 leaves), and Denslow’s Three Bears (13 leaves, of which 1 is blank) all part of the Denslow’s Picture Books for Children series published by G.W. Dillingham Co. in 1903.

Biographical / historical:

William Wallace Denslow, best known as the illustrator of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was born in Philadelphia in 1856. Shortly afterwards his family moved to New York City. He began his formal art training there at age fourteen attending the Cooper Union Institute and the National Academy of Design. In 1896 he met L. Frank Baum and in 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was published. Although the collaboration was met with great success, the pair only worked together on one more book, parting ways due to financial disputes. While he never reclaimed his early success, he continued to illustrate and write children's books, such as Denslow's Mother Goose and Denslow's Night Before Christmas. Adding another name in front of these classic titles was unprecedented, but Denslow's changes were perceived as justified as he amended many of the verses to avoid what he considered unnecessary violence and questionable content. He also produced a series of 18 booklets called Denslow's Picture Books for Children. His work featured his trademark of a Japanese-inspired, stylized seahorse monogram, winning him the nickname "Hippocampus Den."

Custodial history:

Transferred from the San Francisco Public Library's Children's Department in 1993.

Physical location:
Collection is stored on site.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research and is available for use during Book Arts & Special Collections hours.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the San Francisco Public Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from materials must be submitted in writing to Book Arts & Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item/Title of folder], W. W. Denslow Drawings (BASC 13), Book Arts & Special Collections, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
bookarts@sfpl.org
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