- Written by
- Noah Webster Jr., American, 1758 - 1843
- Published by
- George F. Cooledge & Brother, American, 1829 - 1863
- Date
- 1845
- Medium
- ink on paper
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 7 × 4 1/8 × 3/8 in. (17.8 × 10.5 × 1 cm)
- Caption
- Popularly called "the blue-black speller," many African Americans remember Noah Webster's Elementary Spelling Book as the way they learned to read and spell after slavery.
- Description
- A faded blue textbook with black text titled “The Elementary Spelling Book: Being an Improvement on the American Spelling Book” by Noah Webster. Printed at the top of the cover is “THE LAST REVISED EDITION.” The title is at the center of the cover surrounded by a floral design and the author’s name. The publisher’s information is printed at the bottom of the cover. The cover is torn and faded. The book contains 168 pages. The pages are white with black text.
- Place used
- United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Books and Published Materials
- Type
- spelling books
- Topic
- Education
- Emancipation
- Language
- Reconstruction, U.S. History, 1865-1877
- Youth
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Nancy Bercaw
- Object number
- 2017.89
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public domain
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




