The song of sixpence picture book containing Sing a song of sixpence, Princess Belle Etoile, An alphabet of old friends

"Sing a Song of Sixpence" is an English nursery rhyme, originating in the 18th century. A common modern version is: Sing a song of sixpence, A pocket full of rye. Four and twenty blackbirds, Baked in a pie. When the pie was opened The birds began to sing; Wasn't that a dainty dish, To set before the king. The king was in his counting house, Counting out his money; The queen was in the parlour, Eating bread and honey. The maid was in the garden, Hanging out the clothes, When down came a blackbird And pecked off her nose.

A vintage book illustrated by Walter Crane. Walter Crane was one of the most popular illustrators of the late 19th century. In 1863 he began working with the colour printer Edmund Evans, who was greatly impressed by Crane's talent. Initially Crane worked on a series of toy books for the publishers George Routledge and Frederick Warne such as The railway Alphabet and his New Toy Book published in 1873.