A Booke Of Christmas Carols, Illuminated from Ancient Manuscripts In the British Museum

London: Joseph Cundall, 1845. First edition. Hardcover. Orig. publisher decorated boards, front cover paper label. Aeg. Very good. 32 pages. 18.5 x 13 cm. First edition of the first of Joseph Cundall's illuminated gift books, with decoration by John Brandard printed in chromolithography by Hanhart. Purportedly the first Christmas book printed in chromolithography. The borders in the book were copied from Harleian MS 2936 and MS 3469, Royal MS.19.C.3 and 19.C.8, the DeCroy MS, and Henry VIII's Missal, all in the British Library; also used was a Book of Hours in the possession of the publisher. Cundall was also the first commercially printed Christmas (truncated) card in December 1843. MACLEAN, VICTORIAN BOOK DESIGN and Colour Printing. p.109. "It appeared in an elaborate embossed and colour-printed paper binding, in the French style..." Maclean also notes his career was hard to follow as he worked a great deal on his own. Some wear to extremities, early signature front free endpaper, interior clean and bright. (Inventory #: 23889)