Peter Parley's annual for 1876
By: with nine coloured illustrations printed in oil by Ben. George.
Contributors: Martin, William, 1801-1867.; Goodrich, Samuel G. 1793-1860.; George, Benjamin (printer); E. Symmons & Sons
Publisher: Ben. George
Published: 1876
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 312
Subjects: Gift books -- Specimens.; Children's literature -- Periodicals.; Boys -- Periodicals.
Genres: Specimens.; Periodicals.
Other titles: Peter Parley's annual :; Peter Parley's 1876 annual; Peter Parley's magazine
Notes: Added chromolithographed decorative t.p. includes statement: "35th Year".

Chromolithographed plates are unsigned and without imprint.  All are with title captions.

Wood-engraved plates are included in pagination.   Plates are unsigned.  All are with captions.

Includes wood-engraved decorative head-pieces, tail-pieces and initials.

Publisher's and general advertisements on p. [1-8] at end.

Part of a series published under various imprints from 1840-1892 that consisted of bound volumes of the monthly numbers of "Peter Parley's Magazine", which began publication in 1839 under the imprint of Darton and Clark.  William Martin edited several numbers of the "Magazine".  In the early years the "Annual" was published with the imprint of its distributors, Simpkin, Marshall and Co.  Cf. Darton, F. J. Harvey.  Children's books in England, 1982.

Believed to be the earliest boy's annual published in Britain.  Cf. McLean, Ruari.  Victorian book design and colour printing, 1972.

The American author S. C. Goodrich claimed exclusive rights to the pseudonym "Peter Parley" and quarreled with its use by both British and American publishers for works of which he denies authorship and for bogus re-workings of his writings under the Parley name.  He also objected to the use of the pseudonym for this Annual, the authorship of which he bears no responsibility.  Cf. Goodrich, S. G. Recollections of a lifetime, 1967.

Faxon, F. W. Literary annuals, p. 108.

St. John, Judith. Osborne collection of early children's books, Vol. 1, p. 406.

Cf. Darton, F. J. Harvey.  Children's books in England, p. 221-228.

McLean, Ruari.  Victorian book design and colour printing, p. 40, 42, 47-48, 58, 62, 192.

Goodrich, S. G. Recollections of a lifetime, v. 2, p. 296.

MASS copy: Bound in red calico cloth blocked in gold, black and blind.  Upper cover and spine with light green, dark green, blue and white paper onlays blocked in gold and black.  Upper cover blocked in gold with an illustration of a stork in a marsh.  Upper cover includes blocking in black: "Thirty Fifth Year".  Spine with imprints: "35th Year" and "Ben George  London".  Lower cover blocked in blind with binder's signature: "E. Symmons & Sons Binders London E. C.".  Boards with bevelled edges; a.e.g.  With dark brown painted endpapers.
Table of contents: value: The growth of friendship; value: Caught in a trap; value: Flags, standards, and signals; value: The admirable Crichton; value: The golden rule; value: The post; value: Droll dogs; value: Caught by the tide; value: Serpent worship; value: Prejudice versus progress; value: A brave sailor; value: The story of Eyam; value: A cannie Scot; value: Joseph Haydn; value: The story of a raft; value: A successful company; value: Paul Pennyfather's parsimony; value: Otto Gesner's adventure; value: Poetry. The foolish ostrich; value: Learn to play at chess; value: Sleep, sweet sister, sleep; value: The angler.