Krüsi's Drawing: Analytic Series, No. 1

Oblong small quarto, (24) pages with exercised numbered 1-12 printed verso-only. 8th leaf torn and taped back in, complete. Student signed cover, dated 1879. Possibly the most inviting architecture rendered by a child, Krüsi's series includes complex structures and perspectives--and sometimes both (note the view of a building seen through an interior window). 

A central figure in the Oswego movement, Hermann Krüsi began publishing drawing books in the 1850s, building on the teachings of Pestalozzi, to whom Krüsi's father had been personally connected. In the 1870s, Appleton published a 4-part drawing series developed by Krüsi, complete with workbooks and teacher's manuals that were widely marketed and favorably reviewed. The series featured 2 courses of inventive drawing (synthetic and analytic series) and 2 courses of perspective drawing. Among its selling points was the ability for non-specialist teachers to use them for classroom drawing instruction, which was becoming mandated in various states. Despite having a period of widespread success and the availability of his teaching manuals, Krusi's student drawing books are especially scarce.