[Leadenhall Press-- Deluxe Treatise on the Horn-Book in Full Vellum] History of the Horn-Book

London: The Leadenhall Press, 1896. First Edition. First Edition. Two Volumes. Thick quartos (10 x 8 inches). One of the greatest treatise on Horn-Books, and the premier title of this storied press, providing a detailed historical record of one of the earliest forms of children's books displayed on wood, card or board, usually as educational tools. Beautiful bound in full, thick and contoured vellum with cover gilt lettering inside of a thick-ruled outline of a horn-book, morocco gilt labels on spine. Each volume with a space at front afforded by multiple pages gathered together and leaving room for two spaces in the front of each volume: the first with (truncated) three facsimile hornbooks: Volume One: 1. A leather-covered oaken horn-book in Roman letter, stamped with the effigy of Charles II, 2. An early uncovered horn-book in black letter, and 3. An uncovered oaken horn-book of the later period.
Volume Two: 1. A cardboard horn-book, 2. The British Battledore, and 3. A later Battledore. Each volume with superb steel engraving frontispiece and hand-colored title page. Contents feature fold-outs and dozens and dozens of superb woodcut illustrations by Birmingham School Artists, including Celia Levetus and Georgie Cave (Gaskin) who provided superb head and tail pieces throughout. In addition, illustrations by over 30 artists including Joseph Crawhall (hand-colored title-pages, and woodcuts), John Leighton, and Phil May, Top edges gilt, others untrimmed. A near fine copy of a lasting rarity. (Inventory #: 6362)