The Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books. A Catalogue. Volume I 1566 -1910 and Volume II 1476-1910. [ 2 volumes, complete ]

Toronto Public Library, 1975 (volume I being the 1975 reprint, with additional corrections, of the 1958 first edition). 2 vols, cloth, 8vo,. xxiv, 561 + xii 563-1138 pp, ills (some colour). Over 5,000 entries. This is the best edition of the splendid bibliographical catalogue describing the superb Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books. It describes well over 5,000 works published from the 15th century to the early 20th century. Generally the cut-off date is 1910, but books published after that date by authors who were well-launched before then are included. The great majority of the books described were published originally in England although some original editions of books adopted by English-speaking children (eg Le Avventure di Pinocchio, 1883,) are included. The set is well-illustrated with 11 pages of colour plates, 24 pages of black-and-white plates, and 49 line illustrations in the text. There is an interesting 10 page introduction by Edgar Osborne describing the genesis of his collection and something of the paths he followed in building it up with his wife over a period of 40 years. Books are catalogued alphabetically within sections based on the reading interests of children as follows: Aesop and other fabulists; Myths and legendary heroes; Nursery stories and fairy tales; Poetry, verses, and rhymes; Nursery rhymes and alphabets; Books of instruction; The Bible and books of religious instruction; Biography and history; Travel and geography; Natural Science; Games and pastimes; Stories—before 1850; Stories—1850 and after; Periodicals and annuals; Keepsakes and miscellanies; Penny dreadfuls; Movable and toy books; Almanacs and birthday books. In addition to quite detailed bibliographic descriptions, most entries are annotated with a comment on the publication history, illustrations, advertisements or other matters of interest. Title-pages are transcribed in full (save for quotations, degreees of authors, titles of previous books (except for anonymous and pseudonymous works), prices, and specific addresses of publishers and printers). There are useful appendixes of: 1 Chronological list of editions before 1800 (both volumes); 2 List of illustrators and engravers (Volume 1); 3 List of publishers, booksellers and printers (Volume 2) ; and the general index includes authors, titles, translators, editors and series. This is a fascinating and essential reference for anyone interested in early children's books. Near Fine.