Lot 137: MOORE, CLEMENT C.

Christmas Carol. The Visit of St. Nicholas. Philadelphia: John M. Wolff, [1842]

Broadside (16 1/8 x 9 3/4 in.; 410 x 248 mm), text printed in blue, red border of ivy entwined about a stylized interlocking branches within a blue double-ruled border; sides and top margin a bit chipped. Red morocco portfolio lined in green moiré, upper cover lettered gilt.

LITERATURE

BAL 14346; Grolier/Elliott 54; Marshall 25

NOTE

The first separate printing of "The Night Before Christmas" crediting Moore as the author. The only known previous separate printing is cited as one by Myron King, a broadside printed in Troy, New York, about 1830, but this was unlocated by BAL, citing only a catalogue entry. Wollf's broadside was issued as a "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" greeting.