PEOPLE OF THE OLD WORLD

24mo. (11 cm.) 16p. Illustrated with 12 black and white captioned engravings. Sewn booklet in yellow wrappers printed in black and with a vignette in black on the front wrapper that repeats the internal engraving of the Otaheitans from the island of Otaheite in the Pacific Ocean. Wrappers soiled, spine rubbed, a few dings around the edges, one inch hole on the rear wrapper and several black stains there, all illustrations in near fine condition, sewing intact, else very good to near fine with no internal markings. Rufus Merrill (1803-1891) was an American author and publisher from Concord, New Hampshire, known primarily for his contributions to children's literature during the 19th century. Merrill's publishing career was marked by the production of various series of small, inexpensive books designed to be both educational and accessible. Merrill's literary style is characterized by its simplicity and clarity, striving to foster curiosity and a love of learning in children. This didactic approach blends factual content with an uncomplicated narrative style, ensuring that his works could be comprehended by the intended audience with ease. Although not as widely known today as some of his contemporaries, Merrill was a key figure in the democratization of children's literature, influencing a shift towards materials that were both instructive and enjoyable for the burgeoning audience of young American readers. His contributions have been appreciated for their role in promoting literacy and education during an era when such resources were less accessible to the general population. [information from Google Books] Per OCLC, Merrill published under his own name between 1843 and 1854. According to one source checked, this title appeared around 1848 and was No. 6 in Merrill’s Series No. 2 (“Two Cent Toys” series). People are shown in their distinctive dress from the following countries: England, Scotland, Holland, Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland, Burma or Siam, China, Persia, Circassia, and Otaheite Island. OCLC record #1182841792 credits Harrison Eastman as the illustrator. Just a charming piece of children's literature from the middle of the 19th century.…