A Visit from St. Nicholas [The Night Before Christmas]; No. 963

London and Manchester: S. Hildesheimer and Co. Limited, 1890. Wraps. Very good. Sixmo size, 14 pp. First published in 1823 (anonymously) it is safe to say that this short poem, also known as "The Night Before Christmas" or " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas" has for two hundred years been enjoyed by generation after generation, generally shaping, in many ways, the way many of us celebrate Christmas.

Generally attributed to Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863), although with some disputing his authorship, it is known to be "arguably the best-known verses ever written by an American" (n.b., quote from Wiki).

Having been published and re-published countless times, this small version with charming illustrations by Eliza F. Manning (of whom we could find little information, other than that she was referred to the "Iron Maiden"). Published by S. Hildesheimer & Co., a London company mostly known for postcards and greeting cards. They primarily used chromo-lithography (as with this volume) with the printing often done in France or Germany (this volume printed in Germany).

Quite scarce in the trade, as of this writing we see no copies online nor in Worthpoint, our search of OCLC located three copies.

___DESCRIPTION: Bound in illustrated cardboard wraps with a grey cloth spine, gilt top- and fore-edge, the illustrations on the wraps and the half-title different than those in the book, each page (including the wraps) with illustrations, eight in colour and six in black and white; sixmo size (6 1/2" by 5"), [14] pp. plus the printing / illustrations on the wraps.

___CONDITION: Now a solid very good copy (restoration done by a professional to re-sew the binding and stabilize the wraps, name available upon request), the wraps with overall soiling and small loss of paper around the edges and at the spine, the sewn binding now strong, the interior pages mostly clean with a few stray spots, the colours still bright, and with one prior owner marking (a name) stamped onto the verso of the front wrap (a blank page). Even with its faults, still a charming publication of a Christmas favourite, scarce in the marketplace.

___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.

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