The American Juvenile Keepsake. Rare Antique Leatherbound buy Children's Book.

THE AMERICAN JUVENILE KEEPSAKE.

Edited by Mrs. Hofland. Published in New York, copyright, 1834.

This sweet little antique book is bound in full leather with decorative stamping on its spine and both covers. It has gilt stamped spine lettering that reads, simply, "KEEPSAKE." The book measures approximately 3 3/4 inches wide by 6 inches tall. It contains 252 numbered pages. The contents are a compilation of stories and poems illustrated with full page steel engravings. The front of the book contains a presentation page with the previous owner's name: Miss Catherine Conkling, Tyrone, Steuben County. (NY State.)

The binding of the book is sturdy. Its pages are foxed by legible and otherwise clean. The book shows mild to moderate cover wear. It is a very special piece and would be valued by anyone who collects early American children's books or pretty leather bindings. Our research suggests that this title was published as an annual through the middle part buy of the 1830s. This 1834 edition appears to be the earliest.