For purposes of this digitization project, a definition of a chapbook is required.<\/p>\n
\u201c a paper-covered booklet costing a penny or so, as sold by travelling hawkers (chapmen) who included bundles of them with the buttons, threads, laces and so on which they carried from village to village.\u00a0 Chapbooks were usually about 6 in. by 4 in., had up to twenty-four pages illustrated with crude but lively woodcuts, and had a decorated cover title.\u201d <\/em>[1]<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n Glaister continues his definition and provides a timeframe for these publications.\u00a0 London printers began to print chapbooks at the end of the 17th<\/sup> century and they continued to be published until the 1880\u2019s, when the Catnach Press went out of business[2]<\/a>.\u00a0 Carter states in his definition \u201cnot in current use since about 1830\u201d.[3]<\/a> In America, the chapbook era was from about 1725 to 1825, however in the McGill collections we have chapbooks printed later than 1825.<\/p>\n Chapbooks are also called penny histories. They were originally created as popular literature for adults, based upon medieval romance, English legends and folklore. Children\u2019s chapbooks were later produced with popular nursery rhymes and fairy tales.<\/p>\n \u201cThe distinction between a chapbook and a small paper-covered child\u2019s book is extremely fine and such were the physical characteristics and contents of tiny, ephemeral books designed for children that it seems reasonable to regard them as chapbooks.\u201d <\/em>[4]<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n Checklist for defining a chapbook:<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If the work has a cover, it will be made of paper<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Small in size \u2013 up to 15 cm x 10 cm<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8, 16, or 24 pages<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Up to 46 pages can be included if meets all of the other considerations<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Unbound, leaves are stitched (sewn)<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Illustrated by woodcuts (sometimes tinted\/coloured)<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Imprint between 1690 and 1880<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Often undated<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Author usually un-named<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Include religious tracts (author often named on these publications)<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Glaister, G. A. Glaister\u2019s Glossary of the Book. <\/em>2nd<\/sup> ed. London: George Alen & Unwin, 1979, p. 92.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n [2]<\/a> Neuburg, V. E. The Penny Histories<\/em>. London: Oxford University Press, 1968, p. 75.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n [3]<\/a> Carter, J. ABC for book Collectors.<\/em> London: Granada, 1980, p. 57.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n [4]<\/a> Ibid,<\/em> p. 53.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For purposes of this digitization project, a definition of a chapbook is required. \u201c a paper-covered booklet costing a penny or so, as sold by travelling hawkers (chapmen) who included bundles of them with the buttons, threads, laces and so … Continue reading
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