Lot 216
  • 216

Horn Book

Estimate
18,000 - 25,000 USD
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Description

  • Engraved silver-mounted Horn-book. [England, mid-17th century]
  • mica silver paper
Sheet mounted on silver (4 3/8 x 2 3/8 in.; 110 x 60 mm, including the attached handle), printed text on paper containing a roman-letter alphabet in upper and lower case, vowels and syllabarium followed by the Lord's Prayer (with a 2-line initial "O"), covered with a mica sheet secured by a narrow flange of silver, the flange with escalloped borders, the back engraved with a bird above stylized floral tendrils, the tapering handle decorated with further floral motif, maker's mark "W P" in the recto of the handle; the mica sheet dislodged from left and portion of top flange with a tiny edge crack at top. In a modern black morocco drop-box within a slipcase, spine stamped in silver.

Provenance

From the collection of Bernard Breslauer 

Literature

See Tuer, History of the Horn-Book (1896) and Pierpont Morgan Library, Early Children's Books and Their Illustration (1975)

Condition

the mica sheet dislodged from left and portion of top flange with a tiny edge crack at top.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

A silver horn book, probably produced in the provinces of England. Similar examples are found in Tuer (I:103, cut 37) and Pierpont Morgan (no. 54).