Numeracy has almost as high a priority in a child's education as the alphabet and literacy. Many counting rhymes are old and some are even considered nursery rhymes. Counting books, by the nature of the subject, are not particularly easy and interesting to illustrate. Marmaduke Multiply's merry method of making minor mathematicians has resolved the matter in a delightful fashion. Rhyming couplets are an aid to memorising the multiplication tables and are assisted by the lively illustrations. Many aspects of home and outdoor life are depicted with humour. It was the more successful of a number of attempts to produce a book on the multiplication tables.

This copy is soiled and stained from the many little fingers that have turned the pages over the years.

John Harris, the publisher of Marmaduke Multiply ..., was the successor to John Newbery, an 18th century publisher of children's books. Harris took over the Newbery family business from Elizabeth Newbery, widow of Francis - John Newbery's nephew. From 1805 Harris began publishing books that were purely for fun. In 1807 he commenced his series of books 'Harris's Cabinet of Amusement and Instruction'. Marmaduke Multiply ..., published during 1816-17, was one of the titles in this series and was very popular with parents and those responsible for teaching children. Harris's list of publications in 1809 contained over 400 items, all specifically for children or their teachers. He was succeeded by his son John and the business flourished until 1843.

Muir, Percy H. English children's books, 1600 to 1900, London: Batsford, [1954]

Whalley, Joyce Irene. Cobwebs to catch flies: illustrated books for the nursery and schoolroom, 1700-1900, London: Elek, 1974

BBC: Skillswise. Times tables grid games

Picturing childhood: the evolution of the illustrated children's book