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100% response ~ 26 YEARS ON ~ 5-STAR SERVICE
Spectacular c.1845 American gift book in its original publisher's full leather gift binding with elaborate gilt decoration to both boards and spine. Birds, flowers, butterflies, “FROM A FRIEND,” and all edges gilt.
The Forget Me Not: A Gift for All Seasons.New York: Nafis & Cornish, n.d. [c.1845].232 pp., approx. 4 × 6 in.Eight engraved plates present plus a beautiful gold, blue and red ornamental title page.
Especially appealingChristmas provenance:inscribed as a gift from uncle to nieceDecember 25, 1848.
Condition:Good condition with rubbing/wear and spine fading; scattered foxing.Title page loose and nearly separated.See Condition Description and photographs.
100% response ~ 26 YEARS ON ~ 5-STAR SERVICE
A spectacular little 1840s American gift book in its original publisher's full leather gift binding with elaborate gilt decoration—birds, flowers, butterflies, ribbons and a wonderful suspended “FROM A FRIEND” cartouche covering both boards, with an equally ornate gilt spine and all edges gilt. Even better, this copy was actually given as a Christmas present on December 25, 1848.
The Forget Me Not: A Gift for All Seasons.New York:Nafis & Cornish, 278 Pearl Street, n.d. [c.1845]. 232 pages. Approximately 4 × 6 inches.
The binding is the immediate attraction. Both boards are extensively decorated in gilt with birds and flowers surrounding the title, while a bird carries the small“FROM A FRIEND”tablet at the center. The spine carries additional elaborate gilt ornament and lettering.All edges are gilt.It is a particularly appealing example of the decorative American gift-book tradition of the 1840s.
Inside is a strikinggold, blue and red ornamental title pageand a series of engraved illustrations, including a portrait afterSir Thomas Lawrence, engraved by J. Cheney, and other plates signed by such engravers asE. GallaudetandO. Pelton.Eight engraved plates are present.
The book has an especially appropriate contemporary presentation inscription on the endpaper:
“Miss E. A. Bruce / from her Uncle / J. Bruce Esqr / Dec'r 25th 1848.”
That Christmas provenance is particularly charming in a volume expressly published as“A Gift for All Seasons”and decorated on both covers with the words“FROM A FRIEND.”It survives not merely as an antique book but as an actual1848 Christmas gift.
Bibliographically, Frederick W. Faxon's standard bibliography of American literary annuals records this Nafis & Cornish edition ascirca 1845, 232 pages, and identifies it as a reissue of the earlierThe Lily(1831), with changed plates. Faxon records nine plates; this copy has eight engraved plates present.
Condition:Good antique condition with age wear, foxing, and a loose/nearly separated title page. Binding remains highly attractive with substantial gilt.Please see the Condition Description and photographs for full details.
A highly decorative 180-year-old American book with unusual crossover appeal—as an antique gilt leather binding, Victorian-era gift book, illustrated literary annual, and authentic 1848 Christmas presentation.
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