The Fireside Annual: 1879

[1879]

McGlashan Collection

London: ‘Hand and Heart’ Publishing Office

In 1871, the Rev. Charles Bullock founded the Christian periodical Home Words. Imbued with good solid Victorian industry, he also ‘conducted’ (like Dickens) other comforter annuals like the Fireside. Each issue of this annual was packed with engravings, poems, and tales of good cheer. And each issue was bound more or less the same, punched out by ‘Hand and Heart’ (also ‘Home Words’) in red cloth on bevelled boards with black and gold decorations on the front cover and spine. Only the date changed; a delicate operation, especially given the placement of the date (red on gold) on the spine.