The Hand Book of Illustrated Proverbs: Comprising Also a Selection of Approved Proverbs of Various Nations and Languages, Ancient and Modern, Interspersed with Numerous Engravings and Descriptions: Adapted for the Use of All Ages and Classes of Persons

New York: George F. Tuttle, Publisher, 102 Nassau Street, 1856. Cloth over board. Very good. [INSPIRATIONAL]. Cover title: Barber's Illustrated Proverbs
12mo; 252pp; brown ribbed cloth, blind-stamped decorative frame around a gilt-stamped title, gilt lettering and vignette on spine; pale yellow endpapers, ownership on ffep; five-panel leporello frontispiece; wood-engraved illustration at the beginning of each chapter; scuffing to boards with loss at head & tail of spine and corners, foxing but clean and without odors; very good. Twenty illustrations appear on the five-panel frontispiece titled "The Proverbs of Solomon, King of Israel." Four of the illustrations use proverbs to warn against alcohol, fitting in with the Temperance social movement that was growing in strength at this time. One surprising illustration, warning against evil, has a couple surrounded by roses with the woman's breast exposed. Sixty-two illustrated chapters, each with a traditional (not biblical) proverb, a description of the illustration and an explanation of the wisdom. The end of each chapter lists many other common or simple conventional truths that relate to the one highlighted.

A thought-provoking look at common cultural wisdom during the 19th century.