Condition Continued: There are 304 pages in total, followed by two blank rear end papers. The two blank end papers have some spotting and creasing. There is not much by way of creasing on the pages. Two consecutive top corners have a crease. There is a small loss at a half-dozen consecutive bottom corners, far from the print. There are no markings in the book. No attachments of any kind (NOT ex-library). There is a old penned inscription on the blank front end paper in very small letters ('To my darling wife, J. Edw Cheney, Wash DC.. July 10 71). Also his penciled signature and three raised colorless letters (EMR), and a penned 177. On the title page just above the publishers name there is a blue penciled 138. I didn't see any other writing anywhere else in the book. 

W. J. Widdleton, New York, 1864. Hardcover. Written by J. G. (John Gadsby) Chapman. This book was originally published in 1847. 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) is on the title page, so it is one of the earlier editions. 

'John Gadsby Chapman was an American artist famous for Baptism of Pocahontas, which was commissioned by the United States Congress and hangs in the United States Capitol rotunda.

The American Drawing-Book is a landmark 1847 instructional manual written and illustrated by American artist John Gadsby Chapman. Built on the famous core philosophy that 'any one who can learn to write, can learn to draw,' the book became a standard text for self-study in schools and homes across nineteenth-century.'