Fitch's Geography for Beginners, [1850-1858]. This handwritten textbook of geography is something of a mystery. Heavily illustrated with original drawings and images clipped from publications, the text is divided into lessons with topics such as “About Travelling,” “About the Surface of the Earth,” “About Animals,” and “About Trees and Plants.” The title, Fitch’s Geography… suggests that ...
Hall, William. The Encyclopaedia of English Grammar: Designed for the Use of Schools. Wheeling, Va.: John B. Wolff, 1849. Like newspapers, textbooks were frequently among the earliest imprints issued in regional outposts like Wheeling, Virginia (later West Virginia). Such is the case with William Hall’s Encyclopaedia of English Grammar, which was first copyrighted in nearby Ohio. ...
Edgeworth, Maria. Moral Tales for Young People.New York: George Long, 1821. It is always gratifying to discover another edition of Maria Edgeworth’s popular Moral Tales that is new to AAS. George Long (1771?-1843) produced a steady output of textbooks and children’s books, many of which were written by British and European authors, including Miss Edgeworth. Interestingly, ...
Byerly, Stephen. Byerly’s New American Spelling-Book. Philadelphia: M’Carty & Davis, 1830. This lovely wood engraving of the exotic Caribbean parrot fish is taken from a speller written by Quaker school teacher Stephen Byerly (c. 1797-1850). His spelling and reading lessons are punctuated with clear illustrations of animals both common and uncommon to his young readers ...
Fitch’s Geography for Beginners, ca. 1850-1858. This handwritten textbook of geography is something of a mystery. Heavily illustrated with original drawings and images clipped from publications, the text is divided into lessons with topics such as “About Travelling,” “About the Surface of the Earth,” “About Animals,” and “About Trees and Plants.” The title, Fitch’s Geography… suggests ...
