Harropian Books

[Black Memorabilia] The British Workman 1873 - No. 19

SMITHIES, T.B (Editor)

London: S.W. Partridge & Co., 1873. Louis Huard. Softcover. An impactful image, commanding ones full polychromatic attention deep into the front cover of this well known 1870s Temperance magazine, who employ here a well-dressed gentleman to read a Bible for a group of men and boys during a musical interlude. The same image is again reproduced within on p. 161, as a monotone engraving with the caption "That's thee, Jem!" (from the May 1873 - No. 221 issue) String bound paper wraps, elephant folio size (16.5 inches tall), pp.146-192, 3 [ads], well illustrated with twelve large monotone engravings from the Jan. - Dec. 1873 issues, likely representing their front covers. Volume is a single issue and is soiled with multiple stains and tears, having the p.o. pencil ownership signature of "Norman E. Bolton, Esq" at top of p. 145 and the front cover, and the historic bookseller's blindstamp of "H. Shewan Books Stationery, Co. Toronto Ont." affixed at the upper corner of the front cover. An unbound colorful survivor and uncommon thus, with no copies located. Fair. Item #5593

"The British Workman (1855-1921) was a richly-illustrated penny monthly that brought Temperance messages to the working classes. Its founder and editor, Thomas Bywater Smithies (1817-1883), thought that pictures were the best way to communicate improving messages." BLT19 Project online.

Price: $250.00 CAD  other currencies