Real Life in London, or, the Rambles and Adventures of Bob Tallyho, Esq. and his Cousin, the Hon. Tom. Dashall, through the Metropolis; exhibiting a Living Picture of Fashionable Characters, Manners, and Amusements in High and Low Life. By an Amateur. Embellished and illustrated with a Series of Coloured Prints, designed and engraved by Messrs. Alken, Dighton, Rowlandson, &c

[London]. [EGAN, Pierce (in imitation of)]

Verlag: Printed for Jones and Co, London, 1821

Beschreibung

London, Printed for Jones and Co., 1821 and 1822 [first editions, early issues]. Octavo (in half sheets), two volumes, x, [3]-656 pages plus an aquatint frontispiece, additional engraved title and 17 aquatint plates (all hand-coloured); and [ii], x, [3]-668 pages plus an aquatint frontispiece, additional engraved title and 11 aquatint plates (all hand-coloured). Contemporary full tree calf expertly rebacked, retaining the original spines (gilt-decorated, with later contrasting morocco title-labels); sides, bordered with gilt rolls, a little bumped and worn at the extremities; the frontispiece to Volume 1 is duplicated in Volume 2 at the expense of the correct one (there is no indication that this is anything other than a bindery error); text leaves frequently offset; scattered light foxing; a few minor stains and other signs of use internally; three pinholes near the leading edge of about half of the plates, well clear of the printed surface (they appear to have been loosely sewn in one orientation initially, then reversed at a later stage); nineteenth century ownership signature in each volume (S. Scott, repeated in Greek letters); overall a very presentable set. One of several early imitations of Pierce Egan's 'Life in London', with a total of 32 engaging hand-coloured plates showing scenes of the entertainments enjoyed by high and low society, including boxing matches, street fights, gambling, racing and more. The book is notoriously problematic for bibliographers, but this set comprises an early issue of the text with the plates in a mixture of first and second states. The letterpress title of Volume 1 gives the publisher's address as 'Oxford Arms Passage, Paternoster-Row', a variant apparently unknown to Tooley and Abbey, who both call for 'Oxford Arms Passage, Warwick Lane' in the first issue, and '3 Warwick Lane' thereafter. Abbey: 'Life in England in Aquatint and Lithography, 1770-1860' (#280); Tooley: 'English Books with Coloured Plates, 1790-1860' (#198, noting that 'St George's Day, Presentation at the Levee' and 'Tom and Bob catching a Charley Napping' are two additional plates not listed but occasionally found, and that 'though the work is complete without them, it is desirable to have them included'). [2 items]. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 116456

Bibliografische Details

Titel: Real Life in London, or, the Rambles and ...

Verlag: Printed for Jones and Co, London

Erscheinungsdatum: 1821

Einband: Hardcover

Auflage: First Edition.