Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes and NURSERY SONGS. Set to Music by J.W. Elliott

New York: McLoughlin Bros., Publishers, 1900. Boards. Very Good. [4], 110, [2 (last blank)] pages. 9 3/8 x 6 1/2 inches. Chromolithographed illustration on upper board with gilt mustard colored cloth spine. Front illustration is duplicated on the lower board. (Both show Mother Goose in a shawl playing piano with music on the piano stand). Previous owner inscription "Frederica A. Yermi. Monday Jan. 1st, 1900" on front flyleaf. Base of contents page ([4]) notes "* Words by M. L. Elliott". Nine of the songs are so starred indicating their author is M. L. Elliott. Overall light wear, much better condition than found on children's books of this era. Boards. We see no ovbious method of narrowing down the date of publication beyond the inscription on the front flyleaf. The American Antiquarian Society holds several variations of this title with different covers and layout.

Our example includes the text "In the arrangement of the musical portion of the volume, especial care has been taken by Mr. Elliott to keep the songs strictly within the capacity of children's execution, and the compass of children's voices. ... Among the old favorites a few new aspirants to popularity will be found; but it is hoped that their presence will be considered an additional attraction..."--preface, p. [3]" It also has a printed '4' in the lower inner gutter on page (49) and a printed '6' in the lower gutter of page (81), both in a much larger typeface than the song words.