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A first printing of the first edition, in the original full-leather boards, in very nice clean condition. Please note that this is an ex-library copy but, being from a reference library, has been very well preserved in original condition. With a tissue-guarded frontispiece engraving showing 'A Tale of Old England'. A small format book aimed at Victorian children living around the British Empire (see quote from publisher's preface below) ***Very good in green leather bound boards with gilt titles and publisher's device on the spine, and blind ruled borders to the boards. The boards show some wear and rubbing commensurate with age and handling over the years, but are relatively clean and unmarked. There is a strip of residue at the bottom of the spine, extending to a portion of the boards, from a now removed library label (please see scans). No bumps or tears - just a small indentation on the front board. Internally also very good, with the following library marks: City of Lincoln Public Library bookplate and barcode to the front pastedown, library lending sheet and shelf code sticker on the front free endpaper, library stamp to title page, light ink number on recto of title page, first printed page, p.20, 41, 100, 121 over text and last printed page. No other obvious marks. Printed on nice quality paper. **155 pages, 142mm x 100mm. ***'These little books are not designed alone for the youth of Great Britain: they are intended also for the entertainment and instruction of boys and girls in the British colonies and in America; and on this account it is thought proper to present at least one volume more particularly referring to the scenery and rural life of Old England.' (Quote taken from the publisher's preface). ***'Thomas Miller (31 August 1807 - 24 October 1874) was an English poet and novelist who explored rural subjects. He was one of the most prolific English working-class writers of the 19th century and produced in all over 45 volumes, including some "penny dreadfuls" on urban crime. Miller was born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, the son of George Miller, an unsuccessful wharfinger and ship-owner, who deserted his wife and two sons in 1810. Thomas grew up in Sailors Alley, Gainsborough. His childhood friends included the future poet and journalist Thomas Cooper. He attended the White Hart Charity School. Although he left school at nine, he became a voracious reader. His love of the countryside was reinforced by summers spent on his grandfather's farm. Miller found work as a ploughboy, then as a shoemaker's apprentice, but he was released from his indentures after he threw "an iron instrument" at his vicious and tyrannical master. He was then apprenticed as a basket-maker to his stepfather. When Miller had completed his apprenticeship, he moved to Nottingham in 1831 to set up a basket-making business. There he published his first writing, "Songs of the Sea Nymphs" (1832), which he dedicated to Lady Blessington. After moving to London he was befriended by Lady Blessington and by Samuel Rogers, and for a time engaged in business as a bookseller, but was unsuccessful and then devoted himself exclusively to literature, producing over 45 volumes.' (Wiki) ***A first printing of the true first edition, in the original full-leather boards, in very nice condition - although an ex-library copy, the book has been very well preserved in a reference library, and doesn't show much signs of use considering it is such a small and fragile book that is now more than 150 years old! A rare book in first edition - of interest to collectors of books pertaining to Lincolnshire writers and local history. A very uncommon title of which we have managed to obtain two copies discarded by the library. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.
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