Antique 1880 McGUFFEY'S ECLECTIC THIRD READER Textbook! - (eBay item 310001561230 end time Nov-30-07 20:53:44 PST)

Antique 1880 McGUFFEY'S ECLECTIC THIRD READER Textbook! - (eBay item 310001561230 end time Nov-30-07 20:53:44 PST)

This old book has no date, but compared to other vintage books we own, this looks to us like it was published in 1880 or earlier.

The title page says, "Eclectic Educational Series. McGuffey's Newly Revised Eclectic Third Reader, Containing Selections in Prose and Poetry, with Rules for Reading; and Exercises in Articulation, Defining, Etc. Revised and Improved, By Wm. H. McGuffey, L.L. D., Revised Stereotype Edition, New York: Clark, Austin & Smith, Cincinnati: W.B. Smith & Co."

The front and back endpapers all bear many handwritten signatures in ink or pencil saying, "Mary A. Evans" or "Mrs. Mary A. Evans." Perhaps she was the teacher? Her handwriting changed a bit as though she had this book for years and years.

While the spine is still tight, all the pages are heavily speckled, the book is worn and soiled, the hinges are starting to split and the cover paper is missing here and there. The top and bottom of the spine cover is missing so the page signatures are exposed. Some pages are shorter than the rest (see photos).

The back cover lists sixteen other titles in the series. There are a few engraved illustrations like the one shown.

See more photos on eBay.

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