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Wednesday, 16 November 2011

From knitting and crochet to bows and arrows!

A thank you and a giveaway.

I toyed with the idea of starting this blog for a very long time before finally taking the plunge.  Just because I love ‘old’ books and illustrations it didn't follow that anyone else would. I am therefore surprised and delighted at the support and encouragement I've received. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to comment and/or follow.

Some of the featured books are from my own collection while others are for sale at March House Books.  The girl’s own book by Mrs Child has been with me for a very long time and has never been advertised for sale.

Published in 1850 it was given as a birthday present to a Miss Riley from a Miss Wickham on the 23rd October, 1852. The inscription is quite difficult to read but I think I've got that right.  The book isn't in pristine condition but then it is over 160 years old so that is to be expected.

The preface ‘addressed to parents’ reads – this little book has been compiled with an earnest desire to make it useful, in all respects, to its readers; but, as I have relied on my own judgment and experience, there is, therefore, little doubt of numerous imperfections. 



The contents page is a joy to read… from exercises including the bow and arrow, cup and ball, snow-balling and swinging to baskets (allspice, alum, feather, clove, lavender, wafer and so on). Followed by bees, charades, enigmas, forfeits, games, knitting, netting, crochet, ornaments, puzzles, riddles and miscellaneous items including a branch of roses, maxims for health and gracefulness and the self-satisfied duck! The book contains 376 pages embellished with engravings. 



How to enter;
There is just one prize - The girl's own book published by William Tegg & Co, London as described in this post.
The first name out of the hat will win.  Shipping is worldwide. Please leave a comment on this post with your contact email so that I can let you know if you win. I will not contact you for any other reason. If you would rather not leave your email address just leave a comment telling me you wish to be entered in the draw and then contact me using the contact email button in the right hand column .

Followers and non-followers are welcome to enter although I would be delighted if non-followers would like to follow.  The giveaway ends on the 11th December and the book will be shipped the following day. 

I have no sweatmeats, cakes, or toys,
as gifts for little girls and boys;
But look in me, and you shall find
Both food and playthings for the mind.

I hope lots of you enter. I'm sure whoever wins will love this little book as much as I have.

Giveaway now closed - you can see the winning entry being drawn from Santa's hat here 



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28 comments:

  1. Patricia Blomeley-Maddigan16 November 2011 at 17:25

    What a book treasure! Thank you very much for the Giveaway, and oh yes, please enter my name in the hat!

    madley (AT) cogeco (DOT) ca


    Thank You!
    Patricia

    ReplyDelete
  2. DM16 November 2011 at 19:00

    Another darling book! Of course, I'd love to be entered. You inspire me to go to yard sales and look for darling finds like this.

    ReplyDelete
  3. barbaraannefisher16 November 2011 at 19:47

    Hello Patricia,
    Thank you for entering. I will be sure to put your name in the hat - good luck.
    Barbara.

    ReplyDelete
  4. barbaraannefisher16 November 2011 at 19:49

    Hello Donna,
    So glad you entered.
    Enjoy those yard sales - I love going to anything like that.
    Your name is now in the hat, good luck.
    Barbara.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Claudine G17 November 2011 at 02:36

    A 160-year-old book! With woodcut illustrations!


    claudine.g@carryusoffbooks.com

    I'll whisper this out to my friends. =)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jess Haight17 November 2011 at 04:16

    This book is a treasure! I adore books like this. What an awesome giveaway and a truly unique book. Thanks for the opporunity to win this!

    ~Jess
    haightjess@gmail.com
    http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. barbaraannefisher17 November 2011 at 09:07

    Hello Claudine Thanks for entering – please shout it out to your friends!
    Your comment sent me scurrying away to check the details. I used information from Copac to prepare the giveaway and their catalogue lists the 1844 edition as embellished with new woodcuts so I assumed the 1850 edition would be the same. But having just checked my copy I’ve noticed ‘embellished with engravings’ printed on the title page so I’ve changed the detail in the giveaway to reflect that.

    ReplyDelete
  8. barbaraannefisher17 November 2011 at 09:10

    Hello Jess, thanks so much for entering. Your name is in the hat.
    Lots of luck.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Claudine G17 November 2011 at 10:04

    Just did, Barbara ~ I hollered on FB and Twitter, and will do the same on the children's literature board I'm usually on. =)

    I'm sure whoever wins will love the book.

    ReplyDelete
  10. barbaraannefisher17 November 2011 at 10:28

    Thank you Claudine I appreciate it very much.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Stephanie Lott17 November 2011 at 13:39

    I love your blog. Old books are always so fascinating. I've got a little collection that my dad started by picking up books at garage sales.

    I think this book would make a great complement to the Daring Book for Girls. That book will probably seem just as amusing in a 100 years.
    bibliophile@lifeisbetterwithbooks.com
    www.lifeisbetterwithbooks.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ally Stotz17 November 2011 at 14:18

    Your blog is so interesting! That's why I've nominated you for the Lovely Blog Award. Check out my blog for details and congratulations!
    http://allynstotz.blogspot.com/2011/11/award-book-news-and-gobble-gobble.html

    ReplyDelete
  13. barbaraannefisher17 November 2011 at 14:28

    Hello Stephanie
    Thanks for entering; your name is in the hat.
    This little book would make a nice addition to your collection. I was given a copy of the Daring Book for Girls and I'm sure your right about it being seen as amusing to a later generation.

    ReplyDelete
  14. barbaraannefisher17 November 2011 at 14:33

    Thank you Ally you just made my day!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sha Fields19 November 2011 at 06:45

    I think I've found my new home. I LOVE old books. There's just something about history and words with me. I think I'm in the wrong generation. It took me ten minutes to figure out how to comment. I would love to enter. s91here@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. barbaraannefisher19 November 2011 at 10:35

    Hello Sha, I'm sorry it took so long to leave a comment thank you for persevering. I’m glad you are enjoying the books. Your name is now in the hat and I will contact you if you are successful. Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  17. Kathy20 November 2011 at 13:38

    Wow, This book looks facinating and I love antique treasures!
    I would like to be entered into the drawing :)...thanks!
    kphillips1967@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. barbaraannefisher20 November 2011 at 14:56

    Hello Kathy
    Thank you for entering. Your name is now 'in the hat'. Good luck

    ReplyDelete
  19. Katrina DeLallo22 November 2011 at 02:59

    Antiques, and antique BOOKS, are just the best thing EVER! I would love, love, love to be entered in this drawing. Wow! Thanks for offering.

    I'm at silversong(at)juno(dot)com

    Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. barbaraannefisher22 November 2011 at 07:22

    Hello Katrina,
    Thank you for calling in. Your name is now in the hat.
    Good luck, Barbara.

    ReplyDelete
  21. LH Johnson23 November 2011 at 14:39

    Oh how lovely! Please stick me in the hat :-) didyoueverstoptothink-blog@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. barbaraannefisher23 November 2011 at 14:45

    Thanks for entering and for the RT on Twitter. You are now in the hat - hope you will be comfy in there!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Jean Vogler30 November 2011 at 06:42

    What a beautiful book!! I always LOVE to see what new treasures you have on your blog. And this one in particular is amazing! I want to win this one for my two girls.
    busybusymama(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Jean Vogler30 November 2011 at 07:28

    I have put a link to this giveaway on my blog. So lovely, I had to share :)
    http://gibbee.blogspot.com/2011/11/new-book-giveaways-this-week.html

    ReplyDelete
  25. barbaraannefisher30 November 2011 at 08:21

    Hello Jean, thanks for entering. Your name is in the hat. I hope you will be lucky. Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  26. barbaraannefisher30 November 2011 at 08:26

    Thank you Jean that's lovely of you.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Tsutton111 December 2011 at 15:02

    Please enter me in your wonderful contest

    ReplyDelete
  28. barbaraannefisher11 December 2011 at 17:36

    I'm so sorry the competition closed at 9am UK time on the 11th December. Please come back in the New Year when we will be holding another giveaway.

    ReplyDelete

I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx