[Rarebooks] fa: GEORGE CRUIKSHANK - Scraps and Sketches 1875 - INSCRIBED to the editor of The Athenaeum

[Ardwight Chamberlain]

Listed now, auction ending Sunday, June 28. More details and images can be found at the URL below or by searching for the seller name arch_in_la.

http://tinyurl.com/oxtzwvo

Thanks again,
Ardwight Chamberlain
L.A.

George Cruikshank: A Re-issue of Scraps and Sketches, from the Original Plates. Part One. London: Published for the Artist by Arthur Arnold, [1875]. Large oblong folio (28 x 38 cm) recased in modern navy blue cloth with the original front wrapper laid down on the front cover; title-page (with text on the verso) plus six colored leaves of plates (complete).

PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed and signed by the artist in characteristically bold strokes of the pen: "To the Editor of The Athenaeum - with the compliments of Geo. Cruikshank. May 1st 1875." Additionally, Cruikshank has made a a small ink correction to the text on the verso of the title-page. As it happens, this bit of self-promotion seems to have done the trick, eliciting a favorable notice in the June 26 issue of The Athenaeum: "Mr. A. Arnold sends us 'Part One' of 'A Re-issue of Scraps and Sketches by George Cruikshank, from the Original Plates.' Any of the masterpieces of the great pictorial satirist is sure to be welcome to the public; accordingly we thank the publisher for this instalment of reproductions in colour, some of which date from very long ago… Amongst the sketches… is the famous 'Gentleman intended for the Bar.' There is also 'Trial by Jury,' a design we recommend to Edinburgh jurors, beacuse it shows the inconvenience to which they are subject who stick to their opinions. The  first page consists of the admirable drawings which so effectually illustrate some of the advantages of having a wooden leg…"

Leaves with toning and wear to the edges, each with a ca. 1" tear to the bottom edge, three of which have old paper repairs; a few spots and creases; else clean and sound, securely bound and tastefully recased in modern cloth-covered boards. Originally issued in paper wraps, this  collection is usually found, if found at all, well worn and tattered, as evidenced by the original front wrap laid down on the cover.