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Teller, Thomas [pseud. of George Tuttle?]; Purcell, Edward B., illus.  A parent's offering; or my mother's story of her own home and childhood. New Haven: S. Babcock, [1845]. 16mo (13.7 cm, 5.4"). 64 pp.; 8 plts. (incl. in pagination).
$250.00

From "Teller's Amusing, Instructive, and Entertaining Tales" series, the => first edition of this sweet story of domestic life in which seven children grow up in a country house in Connecticut, learning appropriate lessons and writing letters to one another via their in-house "post office." Set near New Haven, CT, this chapbook was also printed there, and bears a wood-engraved vignette of the => New Haven Green (done by Lossino) on the title-page; it is => illustrated with eight plates with central designs of family members at lessons or play both indoors and out, each surrounded by a complex frame composed of variable small renderings of amusements and equipment representing (only "for example"!) archery, marbles, fishing, swinging, stilt-walking, boating, kite flying, jump-rope, tug-of-war, bubble-blowing, and — these last showing multiple games or exercises — gymnastics, hoops, and racquet sports including(?) lacrosse. The cover illustration is signed E[dward B.] Purcell.
        This story is told by a girl narrator; Mamma is the family botanist and its general natural historian, while handsome Papa takes care of the children's chemistry lessons and presents entertaining experiments with his "electrical machine."

American Imprints 45-6531. Publisher's charmingly printed tan paper wrappers; corners rubbed, sides with light staining, spine paper chipped. Plates age-toned; pages with light to moderate foxing and staining. => This was not a "luxury" production but it was quite a nice one — appealing both textually and visually.  (41445)   Please RESHELVE This.

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