[Rarebooks] FS - George Cruikshank's Table Book

[Michael Watson]

Offered today. Terms below.

FS - George Cruikshank's Table Book

George Cruikshank's Table Book
Gilbert Abbot A'Beckett, editor
Illustrated by George Cruikshank.
London, Punch, 1845, large 8vo, 1st, 284pp.

The Table Book was a compendium of satirical articles and short 
essays, previously issued in 12 monthly issues on the "1st of the 
month" from January to December 1845. Filled with fairly-biting 
social and political satire of the day by authors John Oxenford, 
Horace Mayhew, Gilbert A. a Beckett (the Editor's brother), Paul 
Prendergast, Shirley Brooks, Mark Lemon, Michael Angelo Titmarsh 
(William Makepeace Thackeray), Angus B. Reach, and "_Ferguson." 
Contains the first appearance of William Makepeace Thackeray's "A 
Legend of the Rhine" written in several parts under the pseudonym 
Michael Angelo Titmarsh.

Illustrated with plates and cuts by George Cruikshank per his 
satirical take on these same social and political issues. Cruikshank 
was the ideal illustrator for such thing, obviously believing that 
anyone or anything worth satirizing needed a caricature instead of a 
mere rendering. Many of the included articles include references to 
the included illustrations of Cruikshank: this was the literary 
effort of authors in knowing collaboration with their illustrator.

Between the authors and Cruikshak, smoking and foppish dress are 
given a beating, and German featherbeds and German fleas are declared 
to be constant companions. An affinity is declared for the "fine old 
stage assassin," preferring him to the later "smooth" villain, a 
sonnet to cold weather and a related personal selfishness is offered, 
the curious logic of ladies is explored, and we are presented with 
the poem "On a Block of Ice Brought From America Without Melting and 
Placed in the Window of a Shop in the Strand." An enthusiast of 
anatomy examines a talking skeleton in a graveyard and we are given a 
satirical lesson in how, when, and where books should be read, the 
need for specialized "almanacks" is considered including Grant's 
Almanack for Literary Dustmen and Herr Singenschmall's Almanack for 
German Bullfinches.

The Illustrator George Cruikshank was a book illustrator and 
caricaturist who preyed on the social and political foibles of 
Victorian England. A co-creator of the concept and image of the 
English archetype John Bull, he was arguably integral to the writing 
of Dickens' Oliver Twist, contributing not only illustrations for one 
of the editions, but also claiming credit for much of the book's 
story line. Cruikshank was author of

The Editor Gilbert Abbot A'Beckett was on the staff of Punch in its 
first days and a contributing writer after that. A prolific, perhaps 
manic, playwrite, he managed to fit a journalistic career around the 
writing of 50 to 60 plays. Author of three "Victorian comedies" 
including his best-known Comic History of Rome.

List of 12 steel engraved plates, list of 109 wood engraved cuts. 
Illustrated title page, unique to the book and not appearing in the 
periodicals. Short advertisements at the rear. Later binding in full 
red leather with gilt rules at the borders, original brown leather 
spine with raised bands laid down. Spine labels (title and editor) 
are later, and possibly more recent than binding. All edges of text 
block gilt. Printing by Bradbury and Evans, Whitefriars, London. No 
DJ, as originally issued.

Some scratching and marring to the covers. Corners generally sharp, 
but with some wear especially to the tail rear. Very faint foxing to 
the verso of the plates, does not show on the recto. Faintest 
mustiness. Still somewhat tight and pages clean and bright. 1st 
edition of this offprint of Punch. Better than VG and approaches VG+. 
Stock #1332c. $295 USD.

   Prices are net USD, payment by PayPal to archetype at 20ants.com,
   or international money order/check with order. Indiana pays 6% tax.
   Institutions invoiced. Books returnable in 10 days: contact us first.
   Domestic S&H: $3.50 1st book, $1.00 per additional book by USPS
   at Media rate. International, Priority Mail, or other carrier by quotation.
   Traditional courtesies extended to the trade. Always seeking better
   books, individually and in lots,  specialties are non-fiction & literature
   Member: Independent Online Booksellers Association (IOBA)


================================================
  Michael Watson, bookman                           Indianapolis IN USA
  archetype at 20ants.com       www.20ants.com        (317)514-3829
  20th Century & Antiquarian Books for the Reader & Collector
  Fine press, limiteds & unusual non-fiction. Appraisal & cataloging
  Traditional courtesies to the trade. Always seeking better books.
  Member IOBA: Independent Online Booksellers Association
  www.ioba.org
  Offering a safe, secure bookbuying experience at
  www.iobabooks.com/browse_books.php?id=47132
================================================