This is an original antique book illustration taken from Leighton's most sought after set of prints from 'The Farmer's Year' published by Collins in 1933. This seminal work included 12 large wood engravings illustrating various aspects of farming life and designed specifically to show off the technical and artistic virtuosity of the engraver with a series of large and visually stunning images. Clare Leighton was one of a number of woodblock artists in this period when the genre was at its most popular for illustration of printed matter. This print is from the actual first edition, not the US version or subsequent printings. Later reprints on poorer quality paper (and even modern giglee prints) are passed off as genuine but none of these these will be as defined as the imprint offered by the original woodblock. These prints are full page without marks or text/print on the rear (but for the print's title at centre-no show through.) Very good clean and crisp condition with no text or distracting marks. The paper is good quality heavy paper. There is light creasing to the corners of the border which would be amply hidden once mounted. There may be light spots in the border only. This is an original 1930s print so paper has slightly creamy/yellow appearance but this lends the overall image a nice vintage aspect. Unmounted. Photo 2 is for information as to source and does not form part of the sale. Clare Leighton (1898-1989). An English/American artist, writer and illustrator, best known for her wood engravings, trained at the Slade School of Fine Art and the Central School of Arts and Crafts, where she studied wood engraving under Noel Rooke. She emigrated to America in 1939. Over the course of a long and prolific career, she wrote and illustrated numerous books praising the virtues of the countryside and the people who worked the land. Please see other selection of other prints by the artist.