First issued in 1845 by Joseph Cundall, an English publisher of children’s books, the volume pictured above, titled A Booke of Christmas Carols, was a New Year’s Day gift from Henry W. Longfellow to his wife Fanny. The book was lavishly illustrated, with illuminated pages and reproductions of miniature paintings (one of which is shown above to the right) featuring designs from medieval manuscripts in the British Museum’s collections. Joseph Cundall produced several other illuminated books in subsequent years and is also sometimes attributed as the publisher of the first Christmas cards in 1846. His later career revolved around photography, and in 1871 he was the first to create a photographic record of the Bayeux Tapestry.
Only a year after its initial release, Cundall’s book was being published by Henry G. Bohn. Bohn, best known for his series of books known as Bohn’s Libraries that covered various topics including science and history, published the edition shown here in 1846. Three years later in 1849 Henry W. Longfellow presented this volume to his wife as a New Year’s Day gift. It is inscribed on the flyleaf in Henry’s handwriting “Fanny E. Longfellow. January 1. 1849.” The Longfellows were enthusiastic adopters of what many now consider longtime Christmas traditions, including the installation of a Christmas tree in the home and the practice of hanging stockings that were filled with treats for the children. Although Henry never mentioned the singing of Christmas carols in his journals, his gift of this book to Fanny demonstrates an interest in that aspect of celebrating the holiday as well.