"Randolph Caldecott: A Personal Memoir of His Early Art Career" by Henry Blackburn is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The memoir details the early life and professional journey of Randolph Caldecott, a prominent illustrator known for his children's picture books. It captures his formative years, artistic influences, and notable early works, making it a significant documentation of an artist’s career development. The opening of the text introduces Randolph Caldecott, emphasizing his upbringing in Chester, where his artistic instincts were nurtured during his childhood. It describes his initial career as a clerk in a bank, briefly touching on his leisure activities that informed his later artistic works, like fishing, shooting, and exploring the countryside. As he transitions into a more serious pursuit of art in Manchester, we see the beginnings of his distinctive illustration style, the influence of various environments on his creativity, and the development of his humorous sketches, culminating in his ultimate decision to pursue a career in art full-time in London. (This is an automatically generated summary.)