"The Annotated Mother Goose" arranged and explained by William S. Baring-Gould & Ceil Baring-Gould, with illustrations by Randolph Caldecott; Walter Crane; Kate Greenaway; Arthur Rackham; Maxfield Parrish, and Early Historical Woodcuts, chapter decorations by E. M. Simon. Published by Bramhall House, New York, 1962, 1st Edition. The definitive guide to Mother Goose rhymes, offering the complete original texts and explaining the jokes, meanings, and innuendoes behind all the rhymes. Complemented by original illustrations as they have appeared across the centuries. The book provides a wealth of information about nursery rhymes, and includes often-banned bawdy rhymes.

Original dust jacket [some edge wear]; hard boards, yellow cloth, black lettering to front board and spine, large: 8.1/4" x 11"; decorated endpapers, name covered with black ink on the half-title page, the ink bled slightly to the verso of the half-title page [see photo]; 350 pages including Bibliography and Index of First Lines, very good condition.

"Have you ever wondered whether HUMPTY DUMPTY was a real person? Did you know "Mary, Mary Quite Contrary" was Mary Queen of Scots, also known as "Bloody Mary"? This was how popular stories were passed from village to village. And just like modern stories, the REAL Mother Goose is filled with villains and buffoons, thieves and cutthroats. History comes alive again when you know the back ground of these "innocent" chants and poems. Be careful when you sing "RING AROUND A ROSY" or you might fall victim to the Black Death as well!" [from a review]

US: Priority (c.2-5 days) ------------ $12.50
Canada: Priority (c.2-6 weeks) ------ $32.50
World: Priority (c.2-8 weeks) ------- $45.50