Precept Example Midsummer Holidays (3 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Good. 1st. First printing of "A New Edition Improved." Pp. 118, (2) ads, frontis engraving of "Lucy, 24mo format, original red roan over marbled boards binding, gilt title and price (1s.6p.) on spine. Gift inscription dated 1823. Book appears to be all original, even the endpapers, with no apparent repair. Contents are fresh and untorn, hinges firm. The paper-covered boards are worn at extremities, as expected. A very attractive original copy of this very rare children's book.

Mary (Belson) Elliott (1794?-1870) was DartonÕs steadiest and most prolific author during the publisherÕs time at Holburn Hill, though very little is known about her life otherwise; her early works were published anonymously. The preface to her Innocent Poetry (1809) states that she and her sister ÒElizaÓ had an elderly, infirm mother who they had to care for. It is possible that ÒElizaÓ was Elizabeth Belson, one of whose works was published by William Darton eight years later. The date of her marriage has been placed at 1819, but her husbandÕs identity has not been successfully established. It was initially thought that her spouse was London printer Edward Elliott; however, this has proven to be untrue when tested against the Census returns. Several of ElliotÕs works were reprinted in America and Darton eventually published French translations of some of her work, though she seems to have worked with no other English publisher than Darton and his associates. Precept and Example is a simple tale about three children during the summer holidays with a particular emphasis on their faults and the manner in which they overcome them. Twelvemo. 76 pp. Copper engraved frontispiece and woodcut tailpiece Original red roan over marbled boards, spine ruled and lettered in gilt. Binding extremities lightly rubbed, spine lightly toned. Slight offsetting from frontispiece, a few minor stains, leaves a bit browned. A very good copy. First edition of what seems to be the authorÕs first novel for children. Darton, H490(I). Moon, 273.

Leather. Condition: Good. None (illustrator). First edition. A very scarce first edition children's work, a charming and simple tale about three children during the summer holidays, emphasising their moral fallings and how these are overcome. The very scarce first edition of this work by Mary Belson Elliott,a prolific and popular early nineteenth century writer of books for children.Elliott offers the charming tale of the summer holiday of the Somers siblings, in a brief work aiming to entertain the young, and educate them on proper behaviour.With a small woodcut tail piece to page twelve, as called for.Undated to title page; dated by M. Moon in 'The Children's Books of Mary (Belson) Elliott, A Bibliography', reference no. 273. In a quarter calf binding, with paper covered boards. Handling marks and spotting to boards. Hinges starting, but firmly held. Lacking endpapers. Internally, firmly bound. Pages lightly age toned, with instances of spotting. Good. book.