This is a brown stippled hardcover with a stamped floral gilt decoration title on spine. "Poems by Quilp" (pseudonym for William H. Halstead) whose family first immigrated to Norfolk County in 1625. The book is a collection of his poetry, historical writings, verse and simple literature. Dedicated to his friend who was part of the Texas Navy during the Mexican-Texas war with a piece on the Battle of the Alamo and a tribute to Jim Bowie. Published May 1, 1846 Norfolk, VA and printed at the Western Continent Office, Baltimore, Md.  There is also a gift inscription from a Fanny GG Halstead to her teacher, dated May 21, 1863. This book came to me through a large group of like material purchased at a estate sale. It took quite a bit of work to find out who "Quilp" was (other then a Character created by Charles Dickens in the Curiosity Shop as an grumpy old man. The Halsteads' were/are a large wealthy Norfolk County family.