Infant's Library Book 1 (a). (Alphabet).

Marshall, John. Infant's Library Book 1 (a). (Alphabet). Marshall, John. No. 4 Aldermary Churchyard in Watling Street. London. Circa 1800. 32 leaves in 8s. Two additional alphabets at the end in upper and in lower cases. Marshall's imprint/colophon on the verso of the last leaf is engraved - other text is letter-press. Bird and Jay illustrations transposed. Mild page toning. 47 x 60 mm. Contemporary orange paper covered boards. Original green printed oval label with ornately decorated edges on front cover but of different twist border design on the back cover. Inner hinges split. Spine split with basic and old stitched repair. The first of 16 volumes originally sold in a sycamore bookcase box divided into four compartments with red paper lining, with a label reading "Sold by John Harris, successor to E.Newberry, at the corner of St. Paul's Churchyard". Welsh (History, page 74) attributed Jean Jacques Rousseau and the didactic school of philosophy's influence on this publication - one of the earliest books published for children, and designed to train their intellect and morals. Bondy, 59-60. Spielmann, 210. Welsh, 4823. OCLC, 8837332. WorldCat locates 15 sets worldwide. #5558