1890 Cloth Pictorial Illustration of This Little Piggy Nursery Rhyme

This is a c. 1890 cloth pictorial illustration of the Little Piggy nursery rhyme. A left hand occupies most of the cloth. Pigs are illustrated on the hand's five fingers as they appear in the rhyme's lines. Each pig is depicted going about the its task, with the 'one heading to market' carries a wicker basket. 'The one who stayed at home' is smoking a pipe and drinking a pint. The 'one with roast' beef is sitting eating its meal, while the 'one who had none' glares angrily at the its neighbor while crying. Finally, the 'one who cried 'wee wee' all the way home' is fleeing in terror.

The Little Pig Nursery Rhyme

This rhyme's first line appeared in 1728 as part of a medley called 'The Nurses Song'. About 1760, the first known version of the full rhyme appeared in The Famous Tommy Thumb's Little Story-Book, which was published in London. The words were slightly different from the version published here, but the idea was the same.

Publication History

This piece was likely printed c. 1890 and was probably the front of a small pillow.