7 5/8" x 9 7/8", pictorial paper-covered boards with chromolithographed color illustration to front, monochrome red illustr. to back, red cloth spine (original), unpaginated (approx. 90 pp.), illustrated endpapers, 'No. 184' designated on front board. Illustrated children's primer circa 1900 or a bit earlier consisting of, in the first third of the book, a 'Picture Primer', associating simple words with pictures (engravings), then 28 lessons with engravings as well, then the last third of the book is a wonderful alphabet of animals, A-Z, entitled 'Bright Eyes Primer'. These (the last section) are wonderfully odd engravings very much like John Tenniel's famous work for Lewis Carroll's 'Alice' books. Condition is close to Very Good in many ways but we'll call it 'Good Plus' to be conservative: a decent overall appearance (see photo enlarged), the front board is good except for a few surface chips/indentations on the larger girl's hair; otherwise just minor soiling and edge and corner wear (corners rounded). Back board has rubbing and minor soiling. Original red cloth spine is very good except for a 1/2" thin chip on the front gutter. Binding seems okay, a little loose perhaps. Internally good with no writing or other marks, just age-toning to the leaves and endpapers, and last page has tearing at the gutter staples; otherwise good. The value of this book, I can tell you, is the Tenniel-like engravings in the 'Bright Eyes Primer' section: I've never seen these before and they are quite extraordinary. Ships in a box.

Seller Inventory # 04426

Contact seller

Report this item