Banbury Chap Books and Nursery Toy Book Literature($11.95Value)

Description

Banbury Chap Books and Nursery Toy Book Literature of the XVIII. and Early XIX. Centuries by Edwin Pearson is a comprehensive collection of original wood-cut blocks from T. & J. Bewick, Blake, Cruikshank, Craig, Lee, Austin, and others. The book delves into the historical, literary, and artistic associations of favorite nursery classics, including Jack the Giant Killer, Cock Robin, Tom Thumb, Whittington, Goody Two Shoes, Philip Quarll, Tommy Trip, York and Banbury Cries, Children in the Wood, Dame Trot, Horn Books, Battledores, and Primers. Pearson explores the early typography and topography of children's books in Great Britain and America, drawing from original works in the Bodleian Library, the British Museum, and the South Kensington Museums. The book provides insights into the provincial publishing practices of the early 19th century, with a focus on the chap books issued by John Newbery's "Toy Book Manufactory" in London. Pearson also delves into the authorship of popular children's books like "Goody Two Shoes" and the connection between Oliver Goldsmith and the juvenile classics of the time. The collection includes illustrations and woodcuts from various editions of classic tales like "Philip Quarll," "Tommy Two Shoes," "Jack and the Giants," and "The History of Cock Robin." Through a detailed examination of these wood-cut blocks, Pearson sheds light on the evolution of children's literature and the role of provincial publishers in shaping the literary landscape of the era. The book explores the fascinating world of London street cries, comparing them to those of York. It delves into the history of these cries and the artists who depicted them, such as A. Morland, Wheatley, and Stodhard. The book showcases a variety of fable cuts used in educational books, including those from Dilworth, Cocker, and Fisher. It also features woodcuts from the Bewick and Cruikshank schools, used in children's books at Banbury. The narrative highlights the importance of collecting and preserving these historical prints and blocks, as seen in the efforts of a gentleman who found a print of a beautiful block in London. The book provides a list of collectors who have treasured these brochures, including the South Kensington Museum's exhibition of Horn Books and Battledores. It emphasizes the value of creating a collection of extra cuts and cuttings to enhance the library's interest and value. The volume contains precious relics from various presses, such as Bewick, Newbury, Goldsmith, Newcastle, York, Banbury, Coventry, and Catnach, offering a glimpse into the provincial printer's work in the 18th century. The book concludes with a discussion on the drolleries of the steam engine and vignettes and tailpieces to Gay's Fables, engraved by John Thomson, Branstone, and Williams. Through its detailed exploration of historical prints and cuts, the book provides a rich insight into the world of educational literature and visual storytelling in the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries.