Cobb’s Spelling Book Lyman Cobb 1847 Newark Pre-Civil War Schoolbook Antique

About this book

Cobb’s Spelling Book

Being a Just Standard for Pronouncing the English Language

By Lyman Cobb

Benjamin Olds & Son, Newark, New Jersey, 1847

Revised edition

Cloth-backed paper-covered hardcover

An original pre-Civil War American schoolbook used to teach spelling, reading, and pronunciation.

Lyman Cobb was a major rival of Noah Webster. Cobb attacked errors and changes in Webster’s spelling system and built his lessons around the spelling and pronunciation rules of British lexicographer John Walker.

The book contains spelling lessons, reading passages, language rules, place-name tables, and lessons on proper names found in the New Testament. The illustrated frontispiece shows Knowledge guiding a student toward learning and fame.

The 1825 copyright line printed above the frontispiece does not date this copy. The title page clearly identifies this as the revised 1847 Benjamin Olds & Son edition.

Major hook: Original 1847 pre-Civil War schoolbook tied to the early American fight over spelling and pronunciation.

Condition: Acceptable antique condition. Blue paper-covered boards and brown cloth spine show heavy rubbing, stains, discoloration, scratches, worn edges, exposed board, and rounded or worn corners. The binding has damaged sewing and a badly torn gutter area, with one section appearing loose or weak. Pages show heavy age toning, foxing, brown stains, water marks, soiling, edge wear, and handling wear. Front endpaper has an old pencil name. Another front leaf has a faded ink ownership stamp. The illustrated frontispiece remains present. Completeness has not been verified. See photos for the exact condition.