[Rarebooks] FS: History of the Horn-Book

[John & Karen Howell]

Offered today, the First Trade Book Edition and a Reprint of Andrew Tuer's History Of the Horn-Book. 

TUER, Andrew W. (1838–1900).  History of the Horn-Book.  London: Leadenhall Press; New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1897.   8vo.  10 ¼ x 8 inches.  485 pp., 2 ff. ads.  Half-title, engraved frontispiece of Miss Campion holding her horn book, 300 illustrations including a hand-colored illustration on the title page, the illustrations include 46 full-page plates, index, and an additional “Late Note” is bound in before the index with an illustration, a pocket at the rear contains 3 facsimile horn-books including 1 of oak, 1 of card, and 1 of horn; text un-marked, frontispiece foxed, rear pocket with foxing, occasional foxing in the text.  Black-stamped brown cloth, a gilt crown is stamped on the front cover, as the book is “By Command Dedicated to Her Majesty the Queen-Empress,” black leather spine label titled in gilt, top edge gilt; binding square and tight, rubbed, spine ends softened, corners bumped.  Very Good. 

$ 450

FIRST TRADE EDITION, following the special two volume first edition of 1896, which was published in two volumes, bound in vellum.  This book is still considered the standard account of its subject.  Provides a comprehensive social history of the horn-book: a primer for children consisting of a sheet containing the letters of the alphabet, mounted on wood, bone, or leather and protected by a thin sheet of transparent horn or mica.  The horn-book originated in England in 1450.  The term has been applied to a few different study materials in different fields.  In children’s education, in the years before modern education materials were used, it referred to a leaf or page containing the alphabet, religious materials, or some other matter to be taught, and covered with a sheet of transparent horn and fixed in a frame with a handle. 

 

TUER, Andrew W. (1838–1900).  History of the Horn-Book.  Amsterdam: S. Emmering, 1971.  Three volumes in two.  8vo.  9 ¾ x 6 ¾ inches.  xiii, 179; (x), 278 pp.  The second volume is really a portfolio with two hinges that folds open to a three-page opening that contains 7 horn-book facsimiles (complete).  Both text volumes with color title pages, 2 black-and-white frontispieces, black-and-white illustrations throughout including a number folding, indexes; text un-marked, a few pages have smudges or crumpled paper, but the text is completely legible.  Text volume and portfolio uniformly bound in beige cloth stamped in dark brown; binding square and tight, some light shelf wear and bumping.  Very Good. 

$ 125

Complete un-altered reprint of the first edition of 1896.  Provides a comprehensive social history of the horn-book: a primer for children consisting of a sheet containing the letters of the alphabet, mounted on wood, bone, or leather and protected by a thin sheet of transparent horn or mica.  The horn-book originated in England in 1450.  The term has been applied to a few different study materials in different fields.  In children’s education, in the years before modern education materials were used, it referred to a leaf or page containing the alphabet, religious materials or some other matter to be taught, and covered with a sheet of transparent horn and fixed in a frame with a handle. 

 

TERMS OF SALE: Subject to Prior Sale. Dealer discount 10 %. Postage and insurance to be billed at cost. Check or PayPal preferred; credit cards also accepted. Institutions, dealers known to us, and prior customers in good standing may request invoice; otherwise CWO All items are guaranteed, returnable and fully refundable within 30 days of receipt, provided prior notice of return given. CA sales tax where applicable, unless valid resale certificate provided or on file. Call or e-mail to reserve.

Thank you for your consideration.

John Howell

 310 367-9720

www.johnhowellforbooks.com