first edition
1870 · [France]
[France]: n.p., 1870. Very good.. First edition of this delightful and detailed French panorama alphabet - each panel is its own game, with a number of hidden objects beginning with the featured letter. Since the days of the hornbook, publishers have striven to make learning the alphabet entertaining for children. With the advent of cheaper color printing, publishers had more tools at their disposal than ever before. This vibrant alphabet panorama is an eye-catching example of the beautiful effect that can be achieved with this technological improvement. But this alphabet offers another level of engagement: the book's designers built an I SPY-like game into every letter panel, hiding a number of objects beginning with that letter for children readers to find. They (understandably) struggled with the letter X, which has only three objects, but had a grand old time with P, which has a whopping 38 objects.
This is a scarce example of this clever learning tool. We find no holdings of this specific panorama on OCLC or in the Cotsen Library. 4.75'' x 79.75'' (unfolded); 4.75'' x 3.25'' (folded). Contemporary stiff paper boards with tipped-on chromolithographs, connected by pink cloth concertina-style. [24] color panels, printed one side only (no W or Z, as issued). Some toning to front and rear boards, some edgewear; occasional careful glue infills. 1" closed tear to M, S with the beginning of a crack. Colors vibrant. (Inventory #: 33571)
This is a scarce example of this clever learning tool. We find no holdings of this specific panorama on OCLC or in the Cotsen Library. 4.75'' x 79.75'' (unfolded); 4.75'' x 3.25'' (folded). Contemporary stiff paper boards with tipped-on chromolithographs, connected by pink cloth concertina-style. [24] color panels, printed one side only (no W or Z, as issued). Some toning to front and rear boards, some edgewear; occasional careful glue infills. 1" closed tear to M, S with the beginning of a crack. Colors vibrant. (Inventory #: 33571)