Scripture Book - 1867

A decoratively gilt and embossed mid-19th century publisher's period purple cloth binding. Smooth spine very heavily brightly gilt displaying title with gilt illustration of a child reading at the head, an artist's palette at the center and the baby Moses hidden in the reeds at the tail; cloth gently worn at spine ends. Embossed, purple boards are mostly clean; top board shows large central gilt device depicting the title and a figure of Joseph. Binding is sound.

Text block is mostly clean with light scattered foxing observed throughout, almost always in the margins outside the image. We count 95 full page, very colorful lithographed illustrations depicting the old and new testaments as ABC's and the "History of Joseph". The text is divided into three sections: the first portion is the alphabet with each letter corresponding to an Old Testament figure with illustration; the second portion is the alphabet with each letter corresponding to a New Testament figure with illustration; the third portion is the illustrated "History of Joseph". 

The letters 'I' and 'U' are relative newcomers to the alphabet and do not appear in this book.   No one should misconstrue the absence of plates corresponding to these letters as a defect.   There is no evidence to show any plates have been removed.

This RARE illustrated children's ABC scripture book is quite amazing. The brightly colored, full page illustrations are simply beautiful and each could easily be framed for display. A lovely example of skillful lithographic printing.

Book measures c. 7 3/8" H x 6". Unpaginated

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