The Little Visitors. In Words Composed Chiefly of One and Two Syllables
by [Hack, Maria] M. H
- Used
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Pasadena, California, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Darton, Harvey and Darton, 1815. First edition. Original publisher's drab boards with paper label to upper cover. Measuring 140 x 90mm and collating complete with all four plates present: 101, [1, blank], [4, adverts]. Gentle rubbing to boards, but tight, square and pleasing. Faint ownership signature to front endpaper. Some offsetting to endpapers and title page; light scattered foxing throughout. Three inch tear to pages 21-22 archivally closed with all affected words remaining legible; marginal stain to plate at page 82. In all, a pleasing copy of a scarce work which OCLC reports at 12 libraries worldwide. This is the only first edition on the market.
Old enough to be sent for daily visits to their Aunt, little Ellen and Rachel discover the joys of spending time with a generous and knowledgeable woman. Day by day, the two girls learn about the structure of flowers, the origin of Chinaware, and the caretaking of cats and pet birds. Over time, their aunt increases the complexity of her lessons. In addition to showing the girls how her livestock is raised and her property is managed, she also provides social lessons. Introducing Ellen and Rachel to her servants Isaac and Nancy, the Aunt urges the girls to understand their own economic privileges; for while Isaac and Nancy praise the generosity of their employer, they acknowledge that caretaking for their daughter Betsy and her seven children causes strain. Though the Aunt asserts that she ensures that all of her employees want for nothing, she allows the story to conclude with no additional offers of assistance to her longtime workers. Adult readers learn bit by bit that the generous Aunt, in fact, enjoys being perceived as generous; and near the book's conclusion she narrates the story of a young man Tom, whom she discovered being abused by the man who kidnapped him from the West Indies and enslaved him. Purchasing Tom's freedom on the spot, it does not occur to the Aunt to consult Tom about his wishes or to attempt reuniting him with family; rather, the Aunt places Tom into paid servitude to a family friend.
A far more complex education book than its one and two syllable vocabulary would suggest, The Little Visitors gives insight into how young children like Ellen and Rachel can learn useful lessons from the adults in their life, as well as how those adults can pass along paternalistic views about race and class.
Old enough to be sent for daily visits to their Aunt, little Ellen and Rachel discover the joys of spending time with a generous and knowledgeable woman. Day by day, the two girls learn about the structure of flowers, the origin of Chinaware, and the caretaking of cats and pet birds. Over time, their aunt increases the complexity of her lessons. In addition to showing the girls how her livestock is raised and her property is managed, she also provides social lessons. Introducing Ellen and Rachel to her servants Isaac and Nancy, the Aunt urges the girls to understand their own economic privileges; for while Isaac and Nancy praise the generosity of their employer, they acknowledge that caretaking for their daughter Betsy and her seven children causes strain. Though the Aunt asserts that she ensures that all of her employees want for nothing, she allows the story to conclude with no additional offers of assistance to her longtime workers. Adult readers learn bit by bit that the generous Aunt, in fact, enjoys being perceived as generous; and near the book's conclusion she narrates the story of a young man Tom, whom she discovered being abused by the man who kidnapped him from the West Indies and enslaved him. Purchasing Tom's freedom on the spot, it does not occur to the Aunt to consult Tom about his wishes or to attempt reuniting him with family; rather, the Aunt places Tom into paid servitude to a family friend.
A far more complex education book than its one and two syllable vocabulary would suggest, The Little Visitors gives insight into how young children like Ellen and Rachel can learn useful lessons from the adults in their life, as well as how those adults can pass along paternalistic views about race and class.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Whitmore Rare Books (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 4967
- Title
- The Little Visitors. In Words Composed Chiefly of One and Two Syllables
- Author
- [Hack, Maria] M. H
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First edition
- Publisher
- Darton, Harvey and Darton
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1815
Terms of Sale
Whitmore Rare Books
15 day return guarantee, with full refund if an item arrives damaged or not matching the description.
About the Seller
Whitmore Rare Books
Biblio member since 2009
Pasadena, California
About Whitmore Rare Books
We operate a retail shop in "Old Town" Pasadena open normal business hours Tuesday through Saturday.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- A.N.
- The book is pristine and free of any defects, in the same condition as ...
- Rubbing
- Abrasion or wear to the surface. Usually used in reference to a book's boards or dust-jacket.
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Tight
- Used to mean that the binding of a book has not been overly loosened by frequent use.
- Plate
- Full page illustration or photograph. Plates are printed separately from the text of the book, and bound in at production. I.e.,...