First Separate Printing of the ‘Night Before Christmas’
Christmas Carol. The Visit of St. Nicholas.
Philadelphia: John M. Wolff, 1842.
Philadelphia: John M. Wolff, [1842].
Broadside (17 x 11 inches; 432 x 282 mm). Text printed in blue, red border of ivy entwined about a stylized interlocking branches within a blue double-ruled border. Top left and lower right corners with some small chips. Bottom blank margin with a half-inch closed tear. Some very minor soiling in margins. A very rare and wonderful item.
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 (thus possibly a ghost). Wollf's broadside was issued as a "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" greeting.
BAL 14346
HBS 68612.
$7,500.
Price: $7,500.00
Item #68612