Marshall, John. Infant's Library. [Book 8] (Birds). Marshall, John. No. 4 Aldermary Churchyard in Watling Street. London. Circa 1800

Marshall, John. Infant's Library. [Book 8] (Birds). Marshall, John. No. 4 Aldermary Churchyard in Watling Street. London. Circa 1800 ( before the move to 140 Fleet Street in 1808). 32 unsigned printed pages. 13 striking etched full-page plates of birds. Includes Kingfisher and Pelican.  Marshall's imprint/colophon on the verso of the last leaf is engraved - other text is letter-press. Publisher's advert for the 24th number of the Children's Magazine that was published before February 1801. Slight offsetting and mild page toning. 47 x 60 mm. Contemporary black paper covered boards. Original yellow printed oval label with ornately decorated edges on front cover but of different design on the back  cover and both labels pasted upside down. Inner hinges split. Spine slightly split with basic and old orange paper repair. Eighth of 16 volumes originally sold in  a sycamore bookcase box divided into four compartments with red paper lining, with a label reading "Sold by John Harris, successor to E.Newberry, at the corner of St. Paul's Churchyard". Welsh (History, page 74) attributed Jean Jacques Rousseau and the didactic school of philosophy's influence on this publication - one of the earliest books published for children, and designed to train their intellect and morals. Bondy, 59-60. Bromer/Edison, 126. Not in Spielmann. Welsh, 4831. OCLC,  8837332. WorldCat locates 15 sets worldwide.