Biographies written by Walter Rae, circa 1986

The John Rae Collection was donated to the Research Center by his son, Walter Rae, and granddaughter, Jennifer Rae. These materials primarily concern the artist’s illustration career from approximately 1920 to 1950. Also included in the collection are Walter Rae’s unpublished biography of his father, detailing his art career.

Examples of Rae’s published work are included in the form of print proofs, book jackets, magazine tear sheets, cards, booklets, and advertisements. Specifically, his extensive work in children’s literature is represented in the collection by illustrated dustjackets for the books Lucy Locket the Girl with the Pocket (1928), written by Rae himself; Rob Roy: The Frontier Twins (1937), by Constance Lindsay Skinner; and The Winds of God (1941), by Irving Bacheller. Rae’s illustrations are seen in the baby journal, The Best Baby, published by Borden Eagle Brand (circa 1920), and The Runabouts, a guidebook for child-raising published by House of Health (1923).

The collection also includes photographs of Rae’s commissioned oil portraits, including his portrait of Albert Einstein; Rae’s undated manuscript for his children’s book, Grasshopper Green and the Good Fun Club; handwritten song lyrics and sheet music; and a number of original sketches, including two bound sketchbooks.