Merrie England in the Olden Times
London: Richard Bentley, 1842. 1st Edition. Full-Leather. Very Good. Item #019153
Two Volumes, 8vo., vi(3)292pp. Sharp First Edition of this delightful compendium of essays about common entertainments and amusements of England's past. Originally serialized in Bentley's Miscellany which had begun publishing in 1836. Illustrated title pages, in-text illustrations and several other full-page plates by John Leech and Robert Cruikshank. Bound Beautifully in full gilt-ruled brown calf with five raised gilt-ruled bands. Titles in gilt upon black leather labels in compartments two and four. Publishing date and place in gilt at heel. leather spine label. Square and tight with strong joints. Some spotting to prelims and edges of plates but fairly unblemished interior pages. Ghost of an excised book-plate on front paste-down of both volumes. clean throughout save some foxing to end-papers and prelims. A very pleasing collectable set and quite uncommon in any condition.
Price: $350.00