Cicely Mary Barker - Flower Fairies

Miscellaneous Antique Plates / Barker Flower Fairies

Antique Flower Fairy Prints
Cicely Mary Barker (1895-1973)

We are pleased to offer a collection of Cicely Mary Barker flower fairy prints. These are original antique prints from Flower Fairies of Spring, Summer and Autumn, and Flower Fairies of the Trees published by Blackie, London.

Prints are from early editions; publication date is unknown as none of the Flower Fairy books published by Blackie of London did not note publication dates. Flower Fairies of Spring was first published in 1923. Flower Fairies of Summer and Autumn were published in 1927. The Flower Fairy Alphabet was published in 1934. Flower Fairies of the Trees was published in 1940.

Cicely M Barker's work was first published as a set of postcards at age 15. The following year, she won second prize in a poster competition run by the Croyden Art Society. Soon after she was given a lifetime membership in the Society, becoming their youngest member. Barker is best known for the Flower Fairy books, which included her beautiful detailed fairies and poems. Fairies were a popular topic at this time as Queen Mary was fond of the fairy-themed work. Barker’s fairies were based on her knowledge of plants and flowers and her artistic studies of real children, each dressed to represent a different flower. The success of her first volume in 1923, which she also wrote, led to the creation of several more.

These vintage prints are 4” x 5” single sided; the bound edge is untrimmed. There is very little wear aside from slightly bumped corners. Paper is bright with minimal toning and the colors are bright and clear. These antique prints are offered unmatted, matted with an archival neutral mat or double matted to match the colors and styles in the print.