[Rarebooks] fa: DR. SYNTAX IN LONDON 1820 in the ORIGINAL PARTS - 20 PLATES

[Ardwight Chamberlain]

Listed now, auction ending Sunday, November 23. More details and images can be found at the URL below or by searching under the seller name arch_in_la.

http://tinyurl.com/lcew2ub

Thanks again,
Ardwight Chamberlain
L.A.


[William Combe (imitation):] The Tour of Doctor Syntax through London, or the Pleasures and Miseries of the Metropolis. A Poem. London: Published by J. Johnston, Cheapside [et al], 1820. FIRST EDITION, first issue, in original parts; 8 vols., royal 8vo, in publisher's printed wraps, stitch-bound; 319 pp.; with 20 hand-colored plates, including the engraved title-page (complete). Hardie p. 168; Tooley 434; Abbey, Life 265.

One of the best and most successful imitations of the three hugely popular "tours" of Dr. Syntax by William Combe and Thomas Rowlandson. The plates have been attributed to both Rowlandson and Robert Cruikshank, but the participation of the former at least seems highly unlikely. A very desirable title from the golden age of English color plate books, exceedingly uncommon in the original parts. "Issued in eight parts in printed paper wrappers at 2s. 6d. per part… on the completion of the parts the book was issued in boards… A third edition was issued in 1820" (Tooley).

Text and plates are complete; one part (no. 8) lacks the printed wraps and is bound in plain wraps; of the others, all but two have one or both covers detached; one front and one rear cover with tears resulting in some fairly modest loss; one cover with contemporary ink signature and doodling; soiling and occasional stains to the wraps; wear, dust-soiling and a few short tears to the untrimmed edges of the text blocks, scattered soiling and light creases to the contents; some plates loose, but all are present.