The Children's Friend, London, 1786, vols. I - III, V - X, XII - XX, XXII and XXIV only (of 24, i.e. 4 vols. lacking), 16mo, contemporary calf. VERY RARE. (20)

The Children's Friend; Consisting of Apt Tales, Short Dialogues, and Moral Dramas; all Intended to Engage Attention, Cherish Feeling, and Inculcate Virtue, in the Rising Generation. Translated by the Rev. Mark Anthony Meilan, from the French of M. Berquin. London: "Printed for the Translator, and to be had of John Stockdale" [and others], 1786. Volumes I - III, V - X, XII - XX, XXII and XXIV only (of 24, i.e. 4 vols. lacking). 16mo (102 x 70mm). 13-pages of list of subscribers in the first vol. and 14-pages in the last vol. (the title and first few leaves of vol. one quite heavily stained, with the title torn with slight loss, some light mainly marginal spotting and staining to the other vols., title of vol. XIII wormed with slight loss). Contemporary calf, spines numbered in gilt (joints split, extremities rubbed). Provenance: "Fetherstone" (old signatures on some front pastedowns); Fulham Public Library. Hammersmith Early Children's Books Collection (labels mostly on front pastedowns and a few stamps). Muir English Children's Books 1600-1900 p.121: "The first English translation of Berquin's L' Ami des Enfants (1782-3)." VERY RARE, and virtually unheard-of either complete or, as here, almost complete. (20)