Christmas Carols

5j Sesame Booklets, London.

Notes

G.G. Harrap & Co., known for publishing a variety of popular and affordable books, produced these Sesame booklets in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They were printed in a compact, convenient format that was easy to distribute and carry, contributing to their wide popularity. These booklets often featured traditional carols such as "Silent Night" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," alongside seasonal poems and short stories. They were a key part of the Victorian-era Christmas tradition, which emphasized music, family gatherings, and the festive spirit. The booklets' appeal was not only due to their content but also because of the charming illustrations that accompanied the carols, which reflected the artistic style of the time and made the booklets visually appealing.

Their popularity was also tied to the rise of literacy and mass publication in the 19th century, where smaller, inexpensive publications like these could be mass-produced and distributed widely, allowing families and communities across the United Kingdom to easily partake in Christmas festivities through song. These Sesame carol booklets are now cherished as quaint artifacts of Christmas history, evoking the warmth and charm of a bygone era.

Description

Brown leather boards with gilt lettering on the cover and spine with interlacing brown, blue, and gilt decorative elements on the upper board. Deckled edge. Rubbing to the extremities and minor discoloration to the lower board. Very fine condition.