The [First, Second, Third] Tour of Doctor [Dr.] Syntax in Search of [the Picturesque, Consolation, a Wife]

Title: The [First, Second, Third] Tour of Doctor [Dr.] Syntax in Search of [the Picturesque, Consolation, a Wife]

Author: Combe, William

Publication: London: Pub'd [i.e. published] by R. Ackermann, 1823.

Description: Complete three-volume set of William Combe's comic poem "The Tour of Doctor Syntax," which satirizes English travel writer and cleric William Gilpin. First so-called "miniature" edition, with 80 hand-colored plates by Thomas Rowlandson (including frontispieces and title pages), created for this edition at 1/3 of the original size. In original publisher's bindings of full red paper over boards, with green printed paper labels on the spines, housed in custom red-cloth covered enclosure and slipcase with gilt lettering piece. 6.25 x 3.75 inches; Vol. 1: [2], 276, [2] pages, [31] leaves of plates; Vol. 2: [4], 277, [3], 4 pages (including advertisements), [24] leaves of plates; Vol. 3: [4], 279, [1], 4 pages (including advertisements), [25] leaves of plates; without printed title pages in volumes 1 and 3 as issued. Signature of former owner Anna Maria Lewes (later Pawsey), of Thornbury, Herefordshire, England, dated 1823, on front pastedowns. The covers worn and soiled, with splitting at the joints and hinges (front joint fully split on vol. 1), foxing to the endpapers, offsetting of the plates onto facing pages, and sunning to the custom slipcase. Very Good in Fair bindings. A decent copy with bright and attractive plates, scarce in the original publishers' bindings. Tooley, R.V. English books with coloured plates, 1790-1860, entry 430.