In acknowledgment of Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley’s birthday (Occtober 7, 1849), it seemed fitting to share this advert from 1898. Howard Chandler Christy is the best known of Riley book illustrators, but this advert notes Will Vawter. *update via Nathan Bilger: Vawter was from Greenfield as well and wound up illustrating 11 of Riley’s books. He moved to the Brown County Art Colony in the early 1900s. He is celebrated in Greenfield in June with the Will Vawter Art Festival/Show (just as Riley is with a huge festival in downtown Greenfield this weekend).*
Which is your favorite Riley poem or book? And did the illustrations add much to the experience for you?
