In about 1958 my mother went to The Old Curiosity Shop in London and bought this book for me. A large 9 by 11 inch version of the sad story of The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens. The illustrations by Frank Reynolds, R. I. are priceless. I can’t find a publishing date in it or anything else about the book.
The book is one of the few things I have left from my mother and from that time. I remember reading it in a flat in Queensborough Terrace, Kensington, in my bedroom. My room used to be the old larder behind the kitchen and had no heat except for a small kerosene heater – very Dickensian. I loved the little moss garden in the gutter outside the window.
Click on the first one to enlarge and run the slide show. This is for you Derrick.
The Old Curiosity Shop 
The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens.
Illustrated by Frank Reynolds, R. I.
Kit 
Dick Swiveller 
Quip’s Wharf 
Dick Swiveller adn Sophy Wackles 
Kit and His Mother 
Sampson Brass and Quilp 
Mressrs. Godlin and Short 
Little Nell 
The Wayfarers 
Mrs. Jarley 
Sally Brass 
Little Nell 
Flight 
Mr. and Mrs. Quilp 
Nell’s Garden 
Tjhe Marchioness 
Cribbage 
Tjhe Figurehead 
Away with Melancholy 
Near the Journey’s End 
End pieces 
End pieces
What a wonderful gift and what special memories. The illustrations are fabulous-could you check with rate book sellers to get more info about the date?
I did an internet search for it with antique book sellers in the US and UK where the book is from – not able to find this book. I can approximate the date as sometime between 1912 and 1940. Closer to 1912 based on the dates of the paintings.
It’s a wonderful treasure to own.
I happen to be on a Dickens jag right now, reading a few of his masterpieces in a row. Charles Dickens was so masterful at creating characters, and Reynolds does a fantastic job of capturing these personalities in his art. I so enjoyed this post, Sherry, and each of Reynolds’s paintings that you shared. What a wonderful book you have! I espec. like the Sally Brass painting. Also enjoyed the links and learned something I never knew, that in the old days the Olympics competitions extended to artists. Many thanks.
Thank you so much Jet. Glad you enjoyed these paintings. I plan to reread some Dickens soon. You picked my favorite, which is Sally Brass.
Love these old illustrations. Precious, indeed! Thank you for sharing with us.
Glad you like them too.
How wonderful sherry!! and I just love those old illustrations!! Happy New Year!!
Thank you. I felt they are worth sharing. Happy New Year to you too.
What a treasure
Yes it is a gem. Thanks for dropping by.
What great artwork and a great post.
Glad you enjoyed these.
Thank you very much for the dedication, Sherry. A wonderful edition. Reynolds has signed the paintings 1912 – that must be some indication of the publication date.
It was an old book when my mother bought it so sometime soon after 1912 would be about right. I can’t find many other pieces by Frank Reynolds. He was very talented.
Indeed. A star of the golden age
Love this❤️ perhaps you could find a collectible book store in the city that would be able to give you more information about its date. I remember years ago passing by one after walking back from Central Park back to the Marriott at 47th and Lexington. Of course now so many things have changed or closed there. A wonderful book to cherish.
It was a limited edition made in London or Glasgow. The place to find out more would be there. I looked on second hand rare and collectible book websites to see if there are other copies for sale I couldn’t find any. They are lovely paintings.
Just wonderful, Sherry – what a gem, a real treasure.
Glad you enjoyed the art.