The English dance of Death, from the designs of Thomas Rowlandson, with metrical illustrations by the author of "Doctor Syntax".

2 vol., 8vo: vii-[1 bl.]-4-295, [6]-299 pp.; 73 pl. (printed title in 1st vol. missing, front. 1st vol. loose, browned throughout, some offsetting onto facing text-pages).

Contemp. red morocco by Riviere & Son, triple gilt filet on covers, gilt orn. spines with 5 raised bands (front joint 1st vol. cracked, hinges weak), gilt inside dentelles, marbled endpapers, a.e.g.

First edition in book form. Ill. (complete) with an engr. title (dated 1816), front. and 72 hand-coloured aquatints. In 1814 the English artist of the Georgian Era, noted for his political satire and social observation, Th. Rowlandson (1757-1827), started to create a distinctive "English Dance of Death" through the use of humour. He created caricatural aquatints of contemporary scenes showing death. William Combe (1742-1823), a British miscellaneous writer, wrote verses describing the scenes.
Ref. COPAC. - BnF.
Prov. William Van R. Whitall (bookpl.).
Joined: Id. - The dance of life. A poem. [London], R. Ackermann, 1817. 8vo: ii-ii-285[1 bl.1] pp.; 26 pl. (some browning and offsetting onto facing text pages). Same bind. as supra (front joint cracked and sl. loosening), gilt inside dentelles, marbled endpapers, a.e.g. First edition. Ill. (complete) with a front., engr. title and 24 hand-coloured aquatints. Ref. COPAC. Prov. W. Van R. Whitall. (3 vol.)