The mirror; or a looking-glass for young people of both sexes; . to make them wise, good, and happy. Consisting of a choice collection of fairy tales. By Mother Goose.
Mother Goose
Category
Books
Date
1778
Materials
Measurements
14 x 8.5 x 2 cm
Place of origin
Newcastle upon Tyne
Collection
Cherryburn, Northumberland
NT 3043896
Caption
The influential wood engraver Thomas Bewick (1753-1828), best known for his accurate depictions of animals, produced illustrations for a wide variety of books. He used a metal tool called a burin to cut into the hard end-grain of boxwood, which allowed precise detail to be carved at very small scale. The collections now at Cherryburn (Bewick's childhood home) include some of his engraved wooden blocks, from which prints can still be made. Bewick illustrated many small books for children, commissioned by local publishers. This anonymous collection of moralistic fairy tales was intended to make children 'wise, good and happy' and has an illustration for each story, including five early woodcuts by Bewick. Early children's books were often read until they fell apart and then thrown away. This copy is the only known survivor from this issue. Its owner wrote the name Mary several times, perhaps practising her handwriting. This text is adapted from 100 Books from the Libraries of the National Trust (2023) published through the National Trust's Cultural Heritage Publishing programme.
Summary
Children's book of fairy tales, containing five early woodcuts by Thomas Bewick produced for a local publisher in Newcastle. Its early owner, Mary Ann Hilton, used the endpapers to practise writing her name.
Bibliographic description
[4],186,[6]p . ill.. . 12mo.. Various bookseller's codes etc in pencil and on gummed label, on flyleaves and pastedowns.. Provenance: In ink on flyleaf 'Mary Ann Hilton July 26th 1784'. Bookplate: Justin G. Schiller. Binding: Quarter leather, marbled paper-covered boards, spine unlettered. In modern box, gilt-lettered 'Mother Goose'
Makers and roles
Mother Goose , author Thomas Bewick (Cherryburn 1753 - Gateshead 1828), illustrator
References
100 Books from the Libraries of the National Trust 2023