H, T.

A Ha! Christmas, This Book of Christmas is a sound and good perswasion for Gentlemen, and all wealthy men, to keepe a good Christmas. London: Printed for R. L., 1647



4to (7 1/2 x 5 11/16 in.; 190 x 145 mm.). Typographic ornaments on title page and first text page; small hole in upper outer corner of title from erasure. Old boards, green leather gold-stamped backstrip laid down; upper joint cracked.

Dated "21 December 1647" on first and last pages in contemporary hand — George L. Radcliffe (Maryland Senator, purchase entry "bought in Los Angeles Calif. August 1925")

Grolier/Elliott 10; Elliott, Inventing Christmas, p. 26 illustration; Wing H-128

First edition of this anonymous pamphlet defending the "Festivall and good time of Christmas" against Puritan attacks, published three years after Parliament had forbidden its observance. Elliott took its title for the title of his Grolier Club exhibition.

"The author bases his defense of Christmas celebration on passages from the Old Testament which prophesy the coming of Christ, and tell how it should be marked by jubilation and concern for others (Grolier/Elliott)."

The name of Gilbert Mabbott (c.1620 - c. 1670) appears as licenser on the last page. He was appointed clerk-assistant to the House of Commons 30 September 1647 with the power to ban books which displeased him.  His name frequently appears on newsbooks of the period but was often used without his permission.