POETICAL SKETCHES OF SCARBOROUGH.

(London: R. Ackermann, 1813). 237 x 147 mm. (9 3/8 x 5 3/4"). 4 p.l., xv, 215 pp. Second Edition.

Contemporary dark green pebble-grain morocco, covers with intricate gilt dentelle frame, raised bands, spine gilt in compartments with central quatrefoil design, gilt titling, turn-ins with decorative gilt rules. With 21 hand-colored plates drawn by James Green and etched by Thomas Rowlandson. Tooley 423; Hardie, p. 170. ◆Covers slightly scratched, a touch of wear to joints, very minor offsetting, a bit of spotting throughout (rarely affecting text), a few pages and one plate with minor repairs(not affecting text or image), otherwise a very good copy in a pretty binding with whimsical illustrations.

This is an attractively bound example of popular British color-plate books issued at the beginning of the 19th century. Combining light prose and poetry with charming illustrations, this was a specialty of R. Ackermann at his Repository of Arts in London. Hiring such talents as Thomas Rowlandson, William Combe, known for his Dr. Syntax stories, Francis Wrangham and the architect and writer, J.B. Papworth, he issued popular color-plate books depicting picturesque scenery and character sketches. James Green (1771-1834) was a portrait painter and illustrator. The illustrations "show comically all the delights and amusements of a fashionable watering-place." (Hardie).
(ST14249)

Price: $700.00