SPL Hand Coloured Rare Book Collection Featuring Norman R Bobins

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ROWLANDSON, Thomas.
Doctor Syntax in Paris or a Tour in search of the Grotesque.

Embellished with 17 full-page hand-coloured aquatints and a splendidly illustrated title page by Charles Williams. A lovely copy of this hilarious Doctor Syntax spinoff. Thomas Rowlandson’s Dr. Syntax was arguably one of the most enduring characters to emerge from the so-called ‘golden age of British caricature.’ He first appeared in print in 1809 before going on to star in three full-length literary adventures of his own.

Published
London: for W. Wright, 1820.
References
Tooley 432; Abbey Travel 1 109.
Plates
18
Binding/Size
S=8vo
Value
0-5000
Published
London: for W. Wright, 1820.
Ref
71

FIRST EDITION. 18 beautiful hand-coloured plates. 318 pp. 8vo. Full leather with a decorative floral design in gilt and in blind to boards; spine in gilt compartments together with title in gilt over a morocco label; marbled edges; gilt inner dentelles; spine has been tastefully re-backed and some professional repairs to the upper board and corners. Bookplate of "Frederick Shippam" to front pastedown. MS signature [and date] of Frederick Shippam and the much later presentation bookplate of the "Wycliffe College Library. Presented by Mrs. R.H. Whall, October 1937" to a prelim. Contents are generally clean and tidy with only some offsetting to contend with. A nice copy. It was originally issued in parts and in boards on completion. Coloured plates in order: 1. Frontis. Doctor Syntax reading his Tour. 2. Title page. 3. Doctor Syntax embarking at Dover. 4. Doctor Syntax landing At Calais. 5. Doctor Syntax on the Road to Paris. 6. Doctor Syntax arrives in Paris. 7. Doctor Syntax at the Decroteurs or Shoe-Black's. 8. Doctor Syntax and the Female Tonsor. 9. Doctor Syntax at the Opera. 10. Doctor Syntax looking at lodgings. 11. Doctor Syntax chatting with the Bar Maid - Cafe des Mille Colonnes. 12. Doctor Syntax conducted to the Prefecture on a charge of Liberalism. 13. Doctor Syntax discovered by his wife. 14. Doctor Syntax producing his certificate of marriage to his hostess. 15. Doctor Syntax and his wife, descending the Russian Mountains. 16. Doctor Syntax alarmed by a domiciliary visit. 17. Doctor Syntax and his wife inspecting the Catacombes. 18. Doctor Syntax and his wife making an experiment in Pneumatics.