AINSLIE, Kathleen.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Votes for Catharine Susan and Me. First edition, first impression, of purportedly "the only book about suffragettes written for children during the 'Votes for Women' campaign" (British Library). The chromolithograph illustrations depict the adventures of two wooden peg dolls as they join the cause, create mayhem, and are jailed. After going on hunger strike, the story closes with them choosing to "go home quietly". The infantilization of women had long been used as a barrier to equal rights, so a picture book depicting suffragettes as unruly children's toys with easily swayed opinions worked as an excellent propaganda tool. Ainslie published several other illustrated books for children, but Votes for Catharine Susan and Me was the only one to deal with contemporary political events.

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.