OLD AGE
Early Republic era chapbook of this fascinatingly fatalistic little work about aging and death — a rare survival.
Very good.
Price: $100.00
OLD AGE
"The cuts in this little book, if viewed carefully, may lead to serious and profitable reflection."
OLD AGE, a simple look at the slow decline of health and eventual death of the elderly, works as both a memento mori for human life and for chapbooks. "Children are naturally destructive," observes A. S. W. Rosenbach, "and from time immemorial have realized that the purpose of books was to provide them with a 'feast' of reason [...] the wonder is that and specimens of early American children's books are in existence today" (xxvii).
This copy of OLD AGE exhibits evidence of efforts to prolong its life in the form of a grey paper wrapper applied over its original, well-loved brocade paper wrapper. The title does not appear in either Rosenbach's EARLY CHILDREN'S BOOKS or the Osborne Collection.
Read more: A. S. W. Rosenbach, Early American Children's Books.
The Object
New-York; Baltimore: Samuel Wood & Sons; Samuel S. Wood & Co., [circa 1820]. 3.5'' x 2''. Original silver and grey brocade paper wrapper with contemporary grey paper wrapper over. Pictorial title page with seven woodcut illustrations. 8 leaves with alphabet to verso of title page. Contemporary initials to top of title page. Contemporary gift inscription to inner front wrapper, "Mary Hobart / A present from / her cousin / Ruth Fowler." Over-wrapper with some edgewear and light spots of toning. Brocade paper wrapper with some general wear and scuffing, design and metallic silver accents largely perished. Leaves with mild edgewear and scattered foxing. A sound copy of an ephemeral work.
The Fine Print
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