Monsieur Tonson
London: Alfred Miller, 1830. Robert Cruikshank. Second Edition. Small 8vo, 6 x 3 7/8 inches (153 x 98 mm); iv, 19, [1 advertisements]. 7 woodcuts in colored versions, each facing an uncolored version, including the frontispiece of "Tom King" and one small cul-de-lampe on the last page of text. Elegant binding by Riviere & Son (stamp on first free flyleaf) in polished blue-grey calf with gilt fillets and corner rosettes on boards, gilt scrolls on turn-ins, marbled endpapers, a.e.g., spine decorated in compartments, gilt title on red calf labels. Spine and corners somewhat rubbed boards sunned and with some staining. Binding tight and pages fresh. Missing last page of publisher's advertisements
– Armorial bookplate of Almeric Hugh Paget, 1st Baron Queenborough pasted inside front cover.
[Cohn 783; Rosenbach, Cruikshank/Widener, p. 230].
Beautiful illustrated Edition of this humorous short story in verse with Cruikshank's illustrations including frontispiece. This second edition was issued the same year as the first, with the imprint Alfred Miller rather than Marsh and Miller. Cohn notes that "The plates were issued separately taken on india paper in 4to, “ price 2s. 6d.,” in a white paper folding wrapper upon which is “ Seven Illustrations to Monsieur Tonson, by R. Cruikshank. Proofs on India Paper,” etc., contained in a fancy border." Our copy is an uncommon variant, which has two impressions of each plate mounted facing each other, one of each is hand-colored.
John Taylor (1578-1653) was an English poet who dubbed himself "The Water Poet". He spent much of his life as a Thames waterman, a member of the guild of boatmen that ferried passengers across the River Thames in London, in the days when the London Bridge was the only passage between the banks. His occupation was his gateway into the literary society of London, as he ferried patrons, actors, and playwrights across the Thames to the Bankside theatres.
Condition: Very good+.
Item number: 1312
Price: $600.00
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