E. W. (Edward William) Cole

Cole's Funny Picture Book No. 1

"Cole's Funny Picture Book No. 1" by E. W. Cole is a children's book first published in 1879. Sold from Cole's iconic Book Arcade in Melbourne, Australia, this Victorian collection features puzzles, stories, poems, jokes, and whimsical humor organized into themed "Lands." The book includes references to Cole's famous Patent Whipping Machine and his own vision of the future. Reprinted and expanded many times, it grew from 62 pages to 242 pages across 48 editions, selling over 440,000 copies.