Noah Webster - The Elementary Spelling-Book - 1880

This is a highly rare antique English spelling book published in Meiji 13 (1880), titled “The Elementary Spelling-Book”, originally written by Noah Webster, LL.D., and printed in Japan for educational use during the early Meiji period.

This edition was published in Tokyo by Rikugokuwan, one of the most influential educational publishers in Meiji-era Japan. It represents a remarkable moment in history when Western knowledge—particularly the English language—was actively introduced into Japan’s modern education system.

The book is a revised edition based on Webster’s famous American Spelling Book, featuring structured lessons on pronunciation, syllabication, orthography, and basic English vocabulary. Inside, beautifully printed pages include alphabets, phonetic tables, spelling exercises, and early reading lessons, reflecting 19th-century English pedagogy.

The cover and pages show significant age-related wear, including fading, stains, edge losses, and binding deterioration, consistent with a genuine schoolbook that was actually used over 140 years ago. Despite its condition, the book remains complete and legible, preserving strong historical and academic value.

This item is especially attractive to collectors of antique English books, Meiji-era Japanese publications, early language education materials, and cross-cultural educational history.

Author / Publisher Information
Noah Webster (1758–1843) was an American lexicographer, textbook pioneer, and language reformer, best known for shaping American English through his dictionaries and spelling books. His American Spelling Book became one of the most widely used textbooks in history, profoundly influencing English education worldwide.

Rikugokuwan (陸奥館 / 六合館) was a prominent Meiji-period Japanese publishing house specializing in foreign-language textbooks and modern educational materials. Its publications played a key role in Japan’s rapid modernization and adoption of Western learning during the late 19th century.

Size
Approx. 17 × 11 × 1.5 cm
Approximately 120–160 pages (estimated based on thickness; pagination not numbered).

Condition: (Please refer to the photos for details)
- This is a vintage / pre-owned item.
- Due to age and previous use, there may be signs of wear such as scratches, stains, discoloration, or creases.
- Please note that vintage items may have a distinctive smell due to long-term storage or materials used.
Sensitivity to such odors may vary from person to person and from country to country.
- We try to describe the condition as accurately as possible, but perceptions may differ depending on individual standards.
- Colors may appear slightly different depending on your monitor or lighting when the photos were taken.
- Please purchase only if you understand and appreciate the unique characteristics of vintage items.

Shipping
The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by mainly Japan Post or DHL depend on the situation.
It will be shipped from Japan, so it takes about 2-3 weeks to receive normally.

Please understand that we use recycled materials (cardboard, old newspapers, etc.)
as much as possible for packaging materials in order to protect the environment.

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These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

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