A museum for young gentlemen and ladies ...

A museum for young gentlemen and ladies ... was first published about 1750 with the second edition issued in 1758. It was one of the first encyclopaedias for children and continued to be published for the next 40 years. It is comprehensive in its history of Great Britain, the solar system as known to that time, and in the survey provided of the nations of the world with their manners and customs. There are also chapters on the eruption of Mt Vesuvius, the Seven Wonders of the World and much else, with many attractive illustrations.

John Newbery is recognized as the first British publisher of children's books, and while it was not the main part of his publishing business, it is certainly the part that he is best remembered for. He began business in Reading when he inherited a part share in the newspaper publishing business of William Carnan. Newbery also married Carnan's widow, Mary.

In 1743-44 he moved to London and shortly afterwards established himself at 65 St Paul's Churchyard. Newbery and his heirs published over 400 books for children; these were all 'educational to some degree' but were entertaining as well. He was influenced by John Locke's book Some thoughts concerning education and believed that books for children should be written 'rather ... to amuse than instruct'. His books were published to a fairly high standard of production, using attractive Dutch paper covers.

Newbery wrote a number of the books himself, and commissioned others, and he was never shy of advertising his business through the books. He was also not shy of offering an inducement to the sale: his first book A little pretty pocket book was advertised as '6d [pennies] alone, with a Ball or Pincushion 8d.'

Newbery was fortunate that he was in business at the time when the middle classes in England had more leisure and the money to spend on his books: he was able to cater to the hopes and aspirations of the parents and to the reading pleasures of their children.

The role of John Newbery in the publishing history of children's books is honoured with the Newbery Medal, awarded by the American Library Association to the best book for children published in the United States each year.

Permission to use this item for any purpose, including publishing, is not required from the State Library under these conditions of use.

Buy a high resolution copy.