Marmaduke Multiply's Merry Method of Making Minor Mathematicians or, the Multiplication Table. Illustrated by sixty-nine appropriate engravings.

Early issue of this amusing and endearing children's multiplication primer, with captioned engravings offering rhyming couplets to aid memory, such as "Twice 9 are 18. My cow is very lean" and "Six times 8 are 48. Dear Aunt! Your dress is out of date". "The very pretty and amusing illustrations to this engaging little book, rather than its somewhat lame couplets, have made it one of John Harris's best-known and most desirable productions for young children. Today the early states of this book are much sought after by collectors" (Moon, pp. 78 & 4). First published in four parts by John Harris in 1816 and 1817, the work was subsequently reissued numerous times using the original engraved plates. Copies on paper watermarked as late as 1843 are recorded; the plates in this copy are watermarked 1825. Moon, John Harris's Books for Youth, 520. E. F. Bleiler, "In Quest of Marmaduke Multiply: A Bibliographic Postscript", in Dover Publications's 1971 facsimile of the 1841 American edition. Sextodecimo (130 x 101 mm). With 69 engraved plates. Original red quarter sheep, marbled paper sides. Joints and spine ends neatly restored, light rubbing and wear to corners, some spotting to contents. A very good copy. …