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Saturday 4 March 2017

Two More Old Books

This blog post tells the story of two more old books from the Boulton house.  These came from Randy's cousin Faye who was given them when she left home.

The first belonged to Faye's grandmother, Elsie Bushby Boulton and the label inside the front cover indicates it was given to her when she was fifteen years old from her Sunday School in Milton, England.  American author Louisa M. Alcott is famous for her Little Women book but she wrote about 270 others as well.
  Originally published in 1880, this copy was printed in London by Gilbert and Rivington but no year is indicated in the book. GoodReads gives a summary of the book as follows: 
When best friends, Jack and Jill, tumble off their sled, their injuries cause them to be bedridden for many months. Their parents fill their days with the joys of Christmas preparations, a theatrical production and many other imaginative events.

The old blue hard cover book surprised me when I realized it was close to 180 years old!   This edition of The Everyday Book and Table Book Volume III by William Hone (1780-1842) was published in 1838.  Its subtitle is:
Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs, and Events, Vol. 2 of 3: Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Days, in Past and Present Times, Forming a Complete History of the Year, Months, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac
It is collection of the writings of William Hone, For Daily Use and Diversion.  
Inside the front cover, a name seems to show the book first belonged to someone named Ed Hagley.  On the next page there is a stamp with the name of Randy's great grandfather, James William Bushby.
 



A note written by Elsie had been taped into the back of the book below a stamp indicating it belonged to her father, J.W. Bushby, Carpenter & Undertaker, New Milton, Hant (refers to Hampshire). Perhaps future generations may find they will bring in some money, as a similar one in better condition is offered for sale on Abebooks for about $50 and the Jack and Jill could be worth about half of that to the right person.
Regardless of their value, it is great to be able to find out about their history.  Thank you, Faye.