Frank Leslie’s Chatterbox, 1882 (Antique Book, HB)

Frank Leslie’s Chatterbox: Vintage 1882 Edition

This 1882 hardback edition of Frank Leslie’s Chatterbox offers a captivating glimpse into children’s literature. Frank Leslie’s Publishing House produced this book, which measures 10L x 8W x 1″D. It features a beautiful color pictorial cover with stylized fonts of the time. This particular book copied the popular style of a British magazine called Chatterbox, which British clergyman John Erskine Clark founded in 1866. It quickly became one of the most popular children’s magazines, captivating young readers in both Britain and America. This pre-owned book provides a fascinating historical artifact for collectors.

Inspired by a Popular Magazine

The original Chatterbox magazine was issued weekly, and it cost a halfpenny. Today, it is available as bound annuals, with the first annual appearing in 1867. This magazine specifically targeted older children, those with a good level of reading ability. Chatterbox offered diverse content, including short articles, short fiction, and serialized tales that would run for most of a given year. The magazine aimed at both boys and girls, featuring heroic boys’ adventure tales alongside stories about “the importance of being good little girls.”

Renowned for Illustrations

Chatterbox was well-known for its wonderful illustrations. Animal artist Harrison Weir contributed frequently, illustrating many animal anecdotes and fables. Generally, every third page offered a full-page engraving, making Chatterbox an amazing art source. It provides great insight into the Victorian era. This edition is profusely illustrated, and it includes one color plate at the beginning. It also contains over 120 “stories and pleasant reading,” according to its contents.

A Glimpse into the Past

This book offers more than just stories; it provides a direct look at children’s entertainment from 1882. The personal inscription adds a unique touch, as it reads: “With Xmas greetings | from Stewart | 1882.” This detail connects you to its original owners, offering a tangible link to the past.

An Unauthorized American Imitation

The original Chatterbox magazine was published in both Britain and America. However, several unauthorized imitations also appeared in America, using the “Chatterbox” name. This book, Frank Leslie’s Chatterbox, represents one such imitation. Generally, these imitations had completely different content, and such unauthorized copies led to several copyright lawsuits. Therefore, this book represents a unique part of publishing history.

Condition of This Vintage Book

This pre-owned book is in good condition for its age, especially considering it is 143 years old. It features a tight spine, and most pages remain clean. You will find wear to the cover edges, and rubbing appears on the covers and spine. The corners show bumping, and some smudging appears on various pages. There is also tanning throughout. Overall, it remains a charming and readable historical piece, ready for a new home.

Support a Worthy Cause

By purchasing this item, you’re supporting Father Joe’s Villages’ mission to prevent and end homelessness in San Diego.

Author: Frank Leslie
Publisher: Frank Leslie’s Publishing House
Year: 1882
Condition: Pre-owned, good for a 143-year-old book, tight spine, mostly clean pages, wear to cover edges, rubbing on covers and spine, bumping on corners, some smudging on pages, tanning
Compare To: $36.12 (eBay, average sale price over three years, plus sales tax, including shipping)