1883.]. Large 4to, pp. [22], comprised of six pages of text, the first and last as paste-downs to covers, together with 6 full-page chromolithograph illustrations by Kronheim & Co., all mounted on linen and printed on one side only, bound so description and illustration face each other; some light browning, and minor offsetting onto text, but otherwise clean and bright; stitched as issued in the original pictorial covers, upper cover with chromolithograph image of a rhinoceros, with lettering in red and black, lower cover with a series of publisher’s advertisements, inner hinges a little exposed but holding firm, head and tail of spine a little worn, covers slightly soiled with some minor edgewear; contemporary inscription ‘For dear cousin Hannah. A more deluxe issue mounted on linen, of this vibrant work for children, although the date of publication is uncertain. Frederick Warne’s ‘Aunt Louisa’s London toy book’ series began in 1865, and as the advertisement on the present rear wrapper reveals, was to go on to include over 90 titles. Laura Valentine (née Jewry, 1814-1899), who used the pseudonym Aunt Louisa, was the general editor of Warne’s publishing house and contributed text and verses for many in the series. Their address is given as ‘Bedford Street, Strand’. The copy held at the Cotsen library appears to be another variant, including an additional American publisher of Scribner, Welford and Armstrong. Two other works in the series are noted on the rear cover, though eventually a further selection of animals was added to the series. The reader is here introduced to the giraffe, the hippopotamus, the Elk or Moose Deer, the rhinoceros, the reindeer, and finally the wild boar.
Toy Book number 44 had introduced the brown bear, elephant, leopard, dromedary, kangaroo, and the zebra. Number 46 focused upon hyaenas, the stag, the jaguar, the fox, the otter and the camel. The fourth part highlighted the lion, the tiger, the wolf, the polar bear, the orangoutang and the buffalo. Later editions seemingly abandon the text.