miniature encyclopedia, 1800

 

This is a miniature encyclopedia set, published in London in 1800. It has 7 miniature volumes. This was created by a noble man from his knowledge and experience to educate noble children, particularly boys, about life lessons with the alphabet, manners, how to behave when traveling internationally-to recognize people from different nations and kingdoms by their clothes and key points about their homeland, and court etiquette. For example, how to wear your sword when bowing before a queen or king. It is  all contained in a little purple velveteen box, which has seen better days. You could carry it with you as you traveled for ready reference.

The Infant's Own is the alphabet book, but it is not like children's books today. The stories with these letters impart critical life lessons, for example

A is for axe. The book notes:

"An axe is a tool made of iron, or steel: it is very useful for cutting down trees, and taking off the branches. It has been used in England to punish noble traitors." The image on the prior page is of an axe. Ouch. 

This is one of hundreds of miniatures in the Clarke on a wide variety of topics. In the 1800s miniature became the rage with the thought - little books for little hands. In the Victorian era there was a shift to childhood innocence and A for something less threatening, like an apple, became more popular. This is an example of the history of the development of books and children's literature, books children read for fun and to learn. Whoever owned this set originally learned a lot about his place in the world, how to function in it, and maintain it. So in a way it is almost a survival manual. This is also an expensive set so only rich, nobles could have afforded it and it helped them maintain their power and control.