The Philopoena: A Gift For All Seasons, by Various Authors, (RARE, First Edition, Illustrated, Music & Arts Anthology), c. 1866 📜🎶🇺🇸

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a first edition of The Philopoena: A Gift For All Seasons.

Published by Leavitt & Allen in New York, this curated collection offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and works of prominent classical musicians.

This volume is a premier acquisition for any serious collector of first editions. The book is a charming artifact that showcases the artistry of late 19th-century book design.

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2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

The Philopoena is a comprehensive anthology that features essays and stories centered around musical giants like Handel, Mozart, and Beethoven, alongside pieces such as "The Artists Lesson," "Gluck in Paris," "The Mission of Genius," and "Palestrina." The book is a curated collection that aims to educate and inspire readers with tales of musical artistry.

Through biographical sketches and fictionalized accounts, the book explores the artistic struggles, triumphs, and legacies of these musical geniuses. The book is an anthology, aiming to educate and inspire readers with tales of musical artistry. It also features engravings, including "The Mountain Girl."

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3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨

The book is an anthology compiled by various authors. The publisher, Leavitt & Allen, was a New York-based publisher known for producing gift books and other popular literature in the mid-19th century. The intricate design and content of the book reflect the popular tastes of the era.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

The year 1866 falls in the post-Civil War era, a period when Americans were seeking to rebuild and find solace in art and culture. Gift books like this were a popular form of holiday gift-giving, and they served to both entertain and educate the recipient.

The detailed Christmas 1866 inscription from a father to his daughter, naming the gift-giver and location, provides a powerful and personal historical context. The book reflects the aesthetic of late Victorian publishing, a time when publishers used artful designs to make books both attractive and affordable.

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This c. 1866 FIRST EDITION is a core acquisition for a collector building a focused library on Victorian-era gift books and classical music history. 

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This c. 1866 FIRST EDITION of The Philopoena is an exceptionally valuable and highly collectible item due to its age, its status as a Victorian-era gift book, and its unique, heartfelt personal inscription.

The book is 159 years old, having survived a century of history. Its value is overwhelmingly driven by its market scarcity, its historical importance, and its beautiful, handcrafted work from a highly sought-after publisher. This is a premium asset for a discerning collector.

The elaborate embossed and gilt-stamped binding is a stunning example of the intricate artistry popular in the mid-19th century, making it a beautiful display piece.

The detailed Christmas 1866 dedication from a father to his daughter transforms this book into a tangible piece of family history, a cherished gift from over a century and a half ago. This non-replicable asset holds value that far exceeds a standard reprint.

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This copy is a genuine and handsome survivor, showing the authentic wear of a cherished book from the late 19th century.

• Binding: The leather binding shows visible wear, including rubbing, scuffing, and some loss of the original finish, particularly on the spine and edges. The gilt and embossed stamping show some fading but remain largely discernible.

• Pages: The pages show foxing and some discoloration consistent with age, but the text and illustrations are clear.

• Structural Integrity: The binding is tight and sound, ensuring the book's structural integrity.

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8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The book features essays and stories centered around musical giants like Handel, Mozart, and Beethoven.

• The detailed Christmas 1866 inscription from a father to his daughter, naming the gift-giver and location, provides a powerful and personal historical context.

• The book's elaborate embossed and gilt-stamped binding is a stunning example of the intricate artistry popular in the mid-19th century, making it a beautiful display piece.

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9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: The Philopoena: A Gift For All Seasons

• Author/Maker: Various Authors

• Year: c. 1866

• Publisher/Foundry: Leavitt & Allen

• Place of Origin: New York, USA

• Format/Binding: Hardcover, with an embossed leather binding

• Edition: First Edition

• Rarity: Rare

• Transcription: The handwritten inscription reads: “To Cornelia A. Witherell, by her Father. December 25th, 1866. H Lawrence, with, 83, William St N.Y.”