Anon Possibly John Leech (1 results)

Condition: VG. One volume. 6-1/2 X 8 inches. Fully ink manuscript. (There is a slight possiblity that this a diary of the illustrator John Leech . Title page gives place as Islington and date as 1848 (other near year dates as 1851 on one newspaper clipping) which is consistent with Leech's location in that year but there is no name given for the writer of the diary.) There are 106 pages of ink handwritten text with 6 hand drawings, some in ink and some in pencil ( and a pencil sketch of a man's head which is so faint as to be barely visible.) Although Leech's name does not appear anywere on the notebook, the drawing of two boys on p. 19 is initialled by Leech and the style of all the drawings is the same as published drawings by Leech. Perhaps the drawings are just very successful copies of printed drawings by Leech. A brief perusal of all his known drawings by Leech did not match any seen in this diary. The handwriting is possibly not all by the same person but it is hard to tell. Several of the drawings have a small note nearby indicating that they appeared in Punch. Numerous newspaper clippings, almost all about Graphology and how handwriting can reveal writer's personality, are laid in. 4to., 3/4 red leather binding. Binding is very secure. Text is clean and the writing is neat but often, though not always, it is very difficult to read due to excessively squiggly notation. Album exterior is worn. Internally VG with secure binding, hinges not cracked, no tears. Unique and interesting. Pictures available on request.