1831 Moral Tales - By A Father - Late Georgian Antique Children's Book

Moral Tales - by a Father is a rare 19th-century children's book published in 1831 by the prominent firm of John Harris in St. Paul's Churchyard, London. The publisher, John Harris, is highly revered by collectors of antiquarian children's books. In the original publisher's binding.

Copies of the book are extremely rare today. It is mostly found in institutional rare book archives. Because 19th-century children's books were routinely read to pieces, scribbled in, or destroyed by their young owners, surviving copies are scarce.

Moral Tales is an excellent window into early 19th-century British pedagogy and the evolution of children's publishing.

During the Georgian and early Victorian eras, the dominant trend in children's literature was didactic, educational and heavily moralistic. Rather than writing for pure entertainment, authors used realistic or slightly exaggerated short stories to instil religious values, correct bad behaviour, and promote good citizenship.

This specific volume spans 182 pages and includes a collection of short stories focusing on honesty, humility, and the dangers of vice. The contents include the following punchy, cautionary titles:

Fatal Effects of Falsehood;
The Portfolio: or, What Is It To Me?;
The Piece of Gold;
The Boaster;
The Universal Genius;
The Wearied Soldier or, The Christian's Warfare;
The Sailor Boy;
Julius or, The Deaf and Dumb Orphan;
False Indulgence.

Inside the pages are in excellent condition. Clean and tightly bound with no inscriptions or markings of previous ownership. Has an engraved frontispiece (with a little offsetting to title page), plus one further engraved illustrated plate.

In marbled papered boards with a black leather spine and gilt titles. Has wear to the corners to reveal boards beneath (see photos). Rubbing to the surface marbled paper. Rubbing also to the spine ends, with a little loss to the foot of the spine. A few light scuffs to the leather. Gilt titles remain bright.

Your antique copy of Moral Tales will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to add a gift message to the parcel if desired.

H 15 cm x W 10 cm, 182 pages, 0.2 kg.

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* If you would prefer your book not to be decoratively wrapped but sent simply in the full protective packaging please add a note to the order.

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