Title: Holly and mistletoe
Description: This description is from a copy in my possession.  It is the only deluxe edition of this book to my knowledge.  From the internet it appears there were less expensive editions.  I do not know how many books were published.  The large plates are beautiful and probably resulted in the destruction of the book as the plates were removed and framed.  This copy is both deluxe and complete.

It is red velvet padded version with the pages tied at the top with a red satin ribbon.  Gilt edges. This was a high Victorian Parlor edition for Christmas display and use.

I counted 10 colored plates. Book is approx 11" x 7" and 3/4" thick.  Each picture is one full sheet. I counted 42 sheets, and 37 are numbered pages.

Original poems and art by the author ETG (Elizabeth Turner Graham) c1883.  Each color plate is followed by an original poem by Ms. Graham. There is an index in the front.  The pictures are engravings or chromolithographs with vivid victorian colors on the theme of fall and winter with an emphasis on Christmas (and followed by a section on Valentines day). 

I believe this to be a rare copy of a high Victorian Padded Red Velvet bound Parlor Book called Mistletoe & Holly, Songs Across the Snow c1883, by Elizabeth Turner Graham. This autor/artist is a catalogued author and references for her work "Mistletoe & Holly" and "Buttercups & Dasies" was found on the internet however, there are no avialable copies of her books. (Amazon showed it "out" and no other complete copies were found).  ET Graham drew the pictures and wrote the associated poems.  One picture and poem is dedicated to the recently departed Charles Dickens who gave to Christmas season his story of "A Christmas Carol".

The art appears to be chromolithographs to which some glitter and hand gilt painting has been applied (to some pics) (like large Antique Christmas cards) making them both visually beautiful and tactile. The deep "Christmas Red" velvet is over a padded hardboard body and is plush. 

It is probable that many of these books were disassembled and the art work framed thus the complete book is rare.

  The title "Mistletoe & Holly" is embroidered in red thread on the red velvet cover and is somewhat hard to see because of the plushness of the velvet and the padding behind the velvet. The sides of the pages are beautifully goldleafed.  by HHayson Burwoodhallantiques
Subjects: Mistletoe and Holly, Songs across the snow
People: Elizabeth Turner Graham, Charles Dickens (1812-1870)
Time periods: 1883