Online Exhibit
Museum Library
January 1, 2023
Our museum has a vast collection of books in our library. Some of them were published here in Ontario, others pertain to the history of Muskoka Lakes, and some were owned by families in the area. Many books were available through mail order catalogues, and as settlers came to the region, they would have brought a book or two with them as a form of entertainment and distraction. The books featured in this selection have become rather famous over the years and are still read frequently today.
Milton
John Milton was an English poet who lived from 1608 to 1674 and wrote during a time of great political unrest and religious tension. This collection of his work was published in London by Gall & Inglis Publishing. He is most commonly recognized for his work entitled Paradise Lost, which is featured in this anthology. Milton’s work has remained popular for centuries. To many, he is considered one of the most influential writers to follow William Shakespeare.
Dickens
Charles Dickens was alive from 1812 to 1870 and is considered one of the most influential writers of the Victorian era. This book is number four of a six volume unabridged set, published in the later years of the 1800s by P. F. Collier entitled The Works of Charles Dickens. Its stories include “Old Curiosity Shop,” “Sketches by Boz,” “Hard Times,” “A Message from the Sea,” “Master Humphrey’s Clock,” and others. Many of the stories in this collection are accompanied by illustrations.
Lewis Carroll
Originally published in 1871, Through the Looking Glass is a sequel to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. It was the first book in the series to gain popularity and draw attention to these narratives.
This version, published by the Little Leather Library Corporation, is a pocket edition to make travelling with the book easier. Many people inscribe the inside covers of their books to show who they belong to or when they owned it.
This copy of Through the Looking Glass contains the name of a Genevieve Logan, and dated November 18th, 1920. She is also listed as this book’s donor in our collection records.
Helen’s Babies
Helen’s Babies is a humorous novel by American journalist and author John Habberton, first published in 1876. It became a very popular children’s book during the 1900s. In our museum library we have books in a variety of conditions. The spine of this copy, which is in rather rough shape, appears to have been repaired using a page from another book. If you lift the outer material, one can see the text beneath.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Uncle Tom’s Cabin was originally published in 1852 in two volumes. This copy was owned by Effie Smith of Beatrice, Ontario and appears to have been given as a Christmas gift in 1903. Many sources say Uncle Tom’s Cabin was the best-selling novel of the 19th century – being the second best-selling book following the Bible.
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