{"product_id":"deans-illustrated-modern-spelling-and-reading-book","title":"Dean's Illustrated Modern Spelling and Reading Book","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003ePublication\u003c\/b\u003e: London, Dean and Son, c. 1860.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"44\"\u003eFormatting\u003c\/b\u003e: Small 8vo, unpaginated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"80\"\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/b\u003e: Very Good. The book is bound in the publisher's dark, blind-stamped cloth, and despite its age and intended use as an educational text, the binding remains remarkably robust with only minor shelf-wear and rubbing to the extremities, primarily at the spine ends and corners. The gilt lettering on the front board retains a pleasing brightness, providing a sharp contrast against the blind-stamped strapwork panels, which themselves remain well-defined without significant softening or fading. Internally, the binding is relatively tight, though showing slight signs of being gently shaken, as is expected for a children's textbook of this era. The pages are free from major tears or defacement, exhibiting typical moderate age-toning and scattered foxing to the margins and preliminary leaves, but remaining thoroughly legible and clean throughout the text block.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"961\"\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/b\u003e: This is a scarce, early edition of \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"1012\"\u003eDean's Illustrated Modern Spelling \u0026amp; Reading Book\u003c\/i\u003e, published by Dean \u0026amp; Son during their tenure at 11 Ludgate Hill (circa 1854–1873, likely printed circa 1860). The volume is a fascinating pedagogical amalgamation, explicitly combining the instructional philosophies of three prominent 19th-century educators: Thomas Carpenter's focus on structured information, Henry Butter's practical etymological usefulness, and William Mavor's renowned simplicity in early reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eThe book is presented in its original publisher's cloth and features an elaborate illustrated headpiece at the preface, typical of Victorian educational publishing. The front endpaper bears a neat, contemporary ink ownership inscription, \"James Wm Walsh \/ Sep 27th 1933\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eGiven the heavy use and subsequent disposal rate of Victorian children's textbooks, finding a surviving copy in original, well-preserved cloth is uncommon on the open market. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eA captivating artifact of the Victorian classroom, \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"2\" data-index-in-node=\"504\"\u003eDean's Illustrated Modern Spelling \u0026amp; Reading Book\u003c\/i\u003e offers a unique synthesis of 19th-century educational methods. By blending the structured knowledge of Carpenter, the practical vocabulary of Butter, and the accessible simplicity of Mavor, Dean \u0026amp; Son created a comprehensive primer designed to elevate early literacy. Bound in handsome blind-stamped cloth and adorned with period typography, this scarce volume serves as both a charming collectible for enthusiasts of children’s literature and a valuable primary source for the history of education.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55089702338899,"sku":"5688","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20260923_125208.jpg?v=1790607915","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/deans-illustrated-modern-spelling-and-reading-book","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}