The Little Designer (4539)

An updated take on slate drawing cards, children are instructed to use the grid to copy drawings that progress from basic linework to geometric shapes, natural and representational forms. Like slate cards, the instructions printed on the underside of the lid emphasize the “inexhaustible” nature of the product, a selling point against single-use coloring and activity books. The game appeared in Bradley catalogs through at least 1923.

12 printed cards and 11 loose leaves of drawing paper printed with a grid on one side. In shallow box with illustrated lithograph label, 11.5 x 7.5 x .75 inches. Corner crease to one card, others Near Fine in an about VG box. Heavier wear to box edges, including an exposed staple at bottom left and loss at bottom right lid, splitting at the upper lip. Cover lithograph with a small abrasion at the girl's shoulder, otherwise nicely intact. Lacking 2 original pencils and one sheet of paper, but all printed cards are present and modern pencils supplied.