Item #23525 Pictures and Stories of Birds. Primer. Children's, Birds.
Pictures and Stories of Birds. Primer.
Pictures and Stories of Birds. Primer.

Pictures and Stories of Birds. Primer.

Worcester, Mass: Henry Howland, Ca. 1855. A scarce New England primer featuring "the lyre bird of New Holland" (p33) with a wood block illustration and a 3pp description of its song, habits and appearance: "This singular bird lives almost wholly on the ground, like our common poultry .... the inhabitants of New Holland even call it the mountain pheasant. ... It begins its song very early in the morning ... sometimes it sings its own song, in a a natural tone; at others, it is said to imitate every other bird within its hearing (p35).

An early imprint by the bookseller and binder J. S. Wesby, who first advertised in 1848. The Worcester directories list him as a bookseller and binder from 1851-54. The printer, Henry J. Howland, conducted his business at 199 Main Street from 1849-56.

With a wood block illustration and descriptive text on each of the 18 birds included.
12mo, 64pp, printed paper covered hard boards and red cloth spine. The title printed in black at front board within an ornate red decorative border, and an advertisement for Juvenile Books published by J. S. Wesby, on the rear board, also within ornate decorative border. Presentation inscription at the front free end paper. OCLC: 191236585 records copies at the American Antiquarian Society and the Peabody Essex. Item #23525

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