The Tour of Doctor Syntax, complete in 3 vols.

The Tour of Doctor Syntax, complete in 3 volumes: The Tour in Search of the Picturesque; The Second Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of Consolation; The Third Tour of Dr. Syntax in Search of a Wife. Stated fourth edition. First published in book form in 1812. Printed by William Clowes, Stamford-Street, London. Approx. 5.75 x 3.75 inches. Later half morocco, with marbled paper boards. Gilt-stamped titling and decoration, still fairly crisp, to the hubbed spines. The boards with gilt rules. Generally unbumped spine heads and tails, and the corners are fairly sharp. The hinges are in a good state though with the leather rubbed along the spine edges. T.E.G. Text blocks firmly bound in. Decorative paper pastedowns/FEPs. With 276, 277 and 279 numbered pages, respectively. Each volume with "directions for placing the plates" leaf. Almost imperceptible foxing to the preliminaries. Previous owner name in neat ink hand at the top of the first text page of each volume. First volume also with gift inscription on opposite page, dated Xmas 1892. Else the volumes are generally very clean, inside and out. With illustrations by Thomas Rowlandson. Multiple full-page, color plates, of undoubted charm, in each volume. Aqua-tinted? Also first volume with a B&W tailpiece illus. of grazing horse. A Very Good Minus set of three volumes. 1 lb. 10 oz. William Combe [1742-1823] got off to a good start: Eton, inheritance, travel, high living. But then things fell apart. By age 30 he was supporting himself as a writer. 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. The William Clowes printing office relocated to Stamford Street in 1827 and the Clowes factory soon became one of the largest and most advanced printing establishments in the world at the time.…