"New England Primer Improved" — 1849 printing of an 1844 reprint of a 1691 book

Full title: The New England Primer Improved. For the more easy attaining the true reading of English, to which is added The Assembly of Divines, and Mr. Cotton's Catechism. By Westminster Assembly. Published in Boston by Edward Draper at his Printing-Office, in Newbury Street. Sold by John Boyle in Marlborough Street. 1777. From The Smithsonian: "The New England Primer was the first reading primer designed in the American colonies. It is considered one of the most successful textbooks of the 18th century and continued with improved editions into the 19th century. Alphabet verses teaching morality lessons concerning good and evil comprise much of the book. Many of the teachings can be found from the King James Bible as well as Puritan ideals. Secular alphabet passages came later. The New England Primer also contained a catechism with questions and answers about faith and prayers." First published by Benjamin Harris in 1686 in Boston, the book was found in many homes along with the Bible