Christmas Blossoms, and New Year’s Wreath, for 1847.

Boston: Phillips & Sampson, 1847. First Edition. 12mo, vi, [4], 168 pages, bound in the original gilt-decorated and blind-stamped blue cloth covered boards, with the binder's stamp "From Bradley's" in the corner of the front free endpaper. Illustrated with black-and-white plates. Christmas Blossoms, and New-Year’s Wreath, for 1847 is a scarce early American juvenile Christmas gift book and literary annual, published in Boston by Phillips & Sampson for the 1847 holiday season and apparently representing the first year / inaugural volume of the series. Designed as a mid-19th-century holiday keepsake for young readers, the volume brings together moral tales, sentimental stories, poetry, religious instruction, seasonal reading, and improving juvenile literature in the tradition of American Christmas annuals and children’s gift books. The book is especially appealing as an example of antebellum American children’s publishing, Boston juvenile literature, illustrated holiday books, and decorative publisher’s bindings. This copy is further distinguished by the “From Bradley’s” binder’s stamp on the front free endpaper, connecting it to the important Boston binder and publisher’s binder Benjamin Bradley, whose signed bindings are of special interest to collectors of 19th-century American bookbinding, gilt cloth bindings, gift books, and publisher’s decorated bindings. A desirable early Christmas-themed children’s book with strong crossover appeal for collectors of juvenile literature, American annuals, Christmas books, holiday gift books, illustrated children’s books, Boston imprints, antebellum publishing, decorative cloth bindings, and signed American bindings. Small chip to top of spine. Previous owner's inscription on the front free endpaper. Very minimal discoloration, else in very good + condition. Item #345

Price: $600.00