London: [W.T. Stead], n.d. [possibly 1903]. Softcover. The editor of this series, "Books for the Bairns" was the crusading journalist, editor and publisher, W. T. Stead, who also published the book series The Penny Poets and Penny Popular Novels. Stead realised that if he was to succeed in his aim for books for everyone, he had to publish a series that would appeal to young children and be cheap enough for them to buy. He was aware that he would never have reached the pinnacle of success if books had not been made available to him at an early age. He was also anxious to preach his gospel of the true Christian way of life to the receptive minds of the young. Two months later, in March 1896, the first number of Books for the Bairns was published, selling for one penny net, and within a year sales rose rapidly to 150,000 a month. This is a pamphlet with light brown pictorial paper covers that are soiled, chipped and with a few small tears, and rubbed. Rear cover is detached. Text pages are browned but quite legible, and there are several black and white illustrations. One unusual feature is that songs are shown in Tonic Sol-fa. This was a pedagogical technique used for teaching sight-seeing using a system of musical notation where every note is given a name based on its relationship with other notes in the key. In very good minus condition. Measures 4.5 x 7 inches. 58 pages plus 6 pages of publisher ads. CHILD/110123. Very Good -.

Item #36891

Price: $20.00