The Christmas Book - 1888
8/13/24 (updated 11/29/25)Frank Leslie's Christmas Book was a popular Victorian-era publication that featured a collection of festive stories, poems, and colorful illustrations. It was typically issued annually in hardcover editions, with editions known from the late 19th century, such as those from 1887-1888 and 1895. The book offered a variety of short stories and artful depictions related to Christmas themes, aiming to provide entertainment and holiday spirit to readers. Its visuals and narrative content reflected Victorian tastes and customs around the Christmas holiday, leading to its appeal as a decorative and collectible item today.The books generally contained several hundred pages filled with diverse content, including holiday tales, poetry, and often intricate color illustrations on the covers and throughout the pages. The 1887 edition specifically, for instance, is noted for its vivid color illustrations on the cover depicting children at play, despite some expected fading from age. The book is considered a cultural artifact representing holiday traditions and the era's publishing style, valued by collectors for its artistic and historical significance.​Source: Perplexity.aiCurated by G. Ly
