The Tract Primer. New York: American Tract Society, c. 1860. [10595]
Worn blindstamped cloth with gilt emblem and title on front, 6 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches, inscribed on the ffep, "Ellen Deitt Marshalls Book touch not this Book for fear of shame for hear [sic] you see the owners name." Frontispiece partly loose, overall shaken, well-used, some smudges and pencil markings. 108 pp. with many illustrations. Fair. Hardcover.
The address and font style indicate this was printed sometime after 1848. The title page engraving is signed "Whitney," whom we believe to be Elias James Whitney, b. NYC in 1827. He was a celebrated wood engraver who exhibited at the National Academy.
The Primer begins with the letters of the alphabet, each with an illustration and thought from the Bible. It then has a presentation of simple words to be memorized by the beginning reader, then the life of Christ, and then questions on Bible themes.
