Illustrated by JE Millais, Holman Hunt, John Tenniel, Charles Keene, Frederick Walker, JD Watson and others
"Good Words for 1862, edited by the eminent clergyman Norman Macleod, D.D., offers a rich and beautifully curated annual volume of religious reflection, moral essays, poetry, fiction, and social commentary intended for the Victorian family readership. Produced at a time when illustrated periodicals were flourishing, the volume blends thoughtful Christian instruction with accessible literary writing, championing both spiritual nourishment and cultural refinement. Macleod's editorial hand ensures a balance of devotional material with uplifting narrative pieces, travel sketches, moral tales, and practical reflections on the concerns of everyday life in mid-19th-century Britain.
One of the defining features of this 1862 annual is its exceptional suite of illustrations by many of the greatest artists of the Victorian period—including J. E. Millais, Holman Hunt, John Tenniel, Charles Keene, Frederick Walker, and J. D. Watson. Their engravings elevate the text, ranging from atmospheric landscapes and dramatic night scenes to domestic vignettes and depictions of working life, such as the detailed series portraying colliers in their homes and at labour. The volume also includes narrative illustrations from serial fiction like Mistress and Maid, providing a vivid visual complement to the literary content. These plates capture the distinct aesthetic and emotional sensibilities that made mid-Victorian illustration internationally influential.
Bound in its original 19th-century half-leather marbled boards, this large and substantial annual embodies the tactile charm and visual richness of early Victorian publishing. As a complete year of Good Words, it stands as an appealing artefact for collectors of Victorian literature, periodical culture, and Pre-Raphaelite-associated illustration. Its blend of religious purpose, literary quality, and superb artistic contribution makes it especially desirable to collectors seeking early examples of engraving work by Millais, Hunt, Tenniel, and their contemporaries."
