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Seventy-Eight Hand-colored aquatints by Thomas Rowlandson, 2 engraved title pages, 1 engraved tail piece. Uniform fine leather binding with marbled edges measures 9.25 x 6 , 8vos. The Tour of Doctor Syntax, In Search of the Picturesque; A Poem. Ninth Edition, with New Plates. Pub d June 1, 1819, at R. Ackermann s Repository of Arts. 101 Strand, London. 276 pp. The Tour of Doctor Syntax, In Search of Consolation; A Poem. Second Edition. Published by R. Ackermann, at the Repository of Arts. 101 Strand, London: and to be had of all the Bookseller s in the United Kingdom. 1820. 277 pp. The Third Tour of Doctor Syntax, In Search of a Wife, A Poem. London. 1821. Published at R. Ackermann s Repository of Arts, 101. Strand, and to be had of all Booksellers. FIRST EDITION. 279 pp. In good condition. Leather boards normally scuffed at edges and worn at corners. All spines have been restored & 19th C. decorated leather beautifully pasted-on over modern leather. All edges of text-blocks marbled (blue, dulled). Some toning to edges of paste-downs and end-pages. Moderate off-setting to all leaves adjacent to plates or illustrations. Light toning throughout text-blocks, with some instances of age-staining. Some glue residue found in gutter of title page (Vol. III). Previous ownership signature, in ink, found on Vol. I s front end-page: Anna Ramsen (?) Alexander, 1929. Pencil marginalia at top corner of Vol. I s front end-page, as well. Fine leather bindings tight and intact. Please see photos and ask questions, if any, before purchasing. William Combe (1742 1823) was a British miscellaneous writer. His early life was that of an adventurer, his later was passed chiefly within the "rules" of the King's Bench Prison. He is chiefly remembered as the author of The Three Tours of Doctor Syntax, a comic poem, illustrated by artist Thomas Rowlandson's color plates, that satirised William Gilpin. Combe also wrote a series of imaginary letters, supposed to have been written by the second, or "wicked" Lord Lyttelton. Of a similar kind were his letters between Swift and "Stella". He also wrote the letterpress for various illustrated books, and was a general hack. Thomas Rowlandson (1757 1827) was an English artist and caricaturist of the Georgian Era, noted for his political satire and social observation. A prolific artist and printmaker, Rowlandson produced both individual social and political satires, as well as a large number of illustrations for novels, humorous books, and topographical works. Like other caricaturists of his age such as James Gillray, his caricatures are often robust or bawdy. Rowlandson also produced highly explicit erotica for a private clientele; this was never published publicly at the time and is now only found in a small number of collections. His caricatures included those of people in power such as the Duchess of Devonshire, William Pitt the Younger and Napoleon Bonaparte. Beautifully bound complete set of The Tours of Doctor Syntax, in mixed states. 78 hand-colored plates. GIFT QUALTIY. RAREB1821JRSB 07/24 - HK1878.
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