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Adventures of Doctor Comicus or The Frolicks of Fortune
by COMBE, William, after; RIVIÈRE & SON
- Used
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Calabasas, California, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Printed for B. Blake, 1815. The First Dr. Syntax Imitation
In a Superb Inlaid Binding by Rivière & Son
[COMBE, William, after]. [RIVIÈRE & Son, Binders]. The Adventures of Doctor Comicus or The Frolicks of Fortune. A Comic Satirical Poem for the Squeamish & The Queer. In Twelve Cantos, by a Modern Syntax. London: Printed for B. Blake, n.d. [1815].
First edition. Octavo (8 13/16 x 5 1/4 in; 224 x 132 mm). [2], 269, [1] pp. Fifteen hand-colored aquatint plates, including frontispiece and extra engraved title.
Bound c. 1925 by Rivière & Son (stamp-signed) in full antelope brown crushed morocco with gilt fillets surrounding an elaborately gilt frame enclosing a reproduced portrait of Dr. Comicus from the extra titlepage comprised of multi-colored calf onlays. Spine compartments reiterate gilt decoration to boards. Broad turn-ins with gilt rules and corner-pieces. Moire silk endpapers. Expertly and almost invisibly rebacked with the original spine laid down. A very attractive example.
One of the many imitations noted by Hardie of William Combe and Thomas Rowlandson's Dr. Syntax trilogy.
"This is the first of many imitations of Dr. Syntax" (Tooley). The success of Dr. Syntax "produced a host of parodies and spurious imitations. Among them the best perhaps is the Tour of Dr. Syntax through London...Others were Dr. Comicus, or the Frolics of Fortune, in 1815, with fifteen plates [reprinted in 1820 with only twelve plates]...It looks as if Com-icus were a pun on Combe's name, to add insult to injury" (Hardie).
Abbey, Life 254. Tooley 431. Prideaux, p. 334. Hardie, p. 317.
In a Superb Inlaid Binding by Rivière & Son
[COMBE, William, after]. [RIVIÈRE & Son, Binders]. The Adventures of Doctor Comicus or The Frolicks of Fortune. A Comic Satirical Poem for the Squeamish & The Queer. In Twelve Cantos, by a Modern Syntax. London: Printed for B. Blake, n.d. [1815].
First edition. Octavo (8 13/16 x 5 1/4 in; 224 x 132 mm). [2], 269, [1] pp. Fifteen hand-colored aquatint plates, including frontispiece and extra engraved title.
Bound c. 1925 by Rivière & Son (stamp-signed) in full antelope brown crushed morocco with gilt fillets surrounding an elaborately gilt frame enclosing a reproduced portrait of Dr. Comicus from the extra titlepage comprised of multi-colored calf onlays. Spine compartments reiterate gilt decoration to boards. Broad turn-ins with gilt rules and corner-pieces. Moire silk endpapers. Expertly and almost invisibly rebacked with the original spine laid down. A very attractive example.
One of the many imitations noted by Hardie of William Combe and Thomas Rowlandson's Dr. Syntax trilogy.
"This is the first of many imitations of Dr. Syntax" (Tooley). The success of Dr. Syntax "produced a host of parodies and spurious imitations. Among them the best perhaps is the Tour of Dr. Syntax through London...Others were Dr. Comicus, or the Frolics of Fortune, in 1815, with fifteen plates [reprinted in 1820 with only twelve plates]...It looks as if Com-icus were a pun on Combe's name, to add insult to injury" (Hardie).
Abbey, Life 254. Tooley 431. Prideaux, p. 334. Hardie, p. 317.
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Details
- Bookseller
- David Brass Rare Books, Inc.
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 02669
- Title
- Adventures of Doctor Comicus or The Frolicks of Fortune
- Author
- COMBE, William, after; RIVIÈRE & SON
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Publisher
- London: Printed for B. Blake, 1815
- Keywords
- RIVIÈRE & SON
Terms of Sale
David Brass Rare Books, Inc.
We will extend to you a 48-hour approval period on all items that are purchased sight unseen. If you are not completely satisfied with the item simply contact us within 48 hours after receipt, and then return it in the same condition you received it for a full refund, less freight charges, or any related costs including credit card transactions, taxes, and duties levied, especially when returning from other countries.
About the Seller
David Brass Rare Books, Inc.
Biblio member since 2007
Calabasas, California
About David Brass Rare Books, Inc.
David Brass Rare Books, Inc. specializes in buying and selling only the finest examples of English, American and European Literature, Children\\\'s Books, Color-Plate Books, Illustrated Books, Early Printed Books, Private Press Books, Fine Bindings, Original Artwork, Manuscripts, High Spot Modern First Editions, Rare Books and High Spots.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Morocco
- Morocco is a style of leather book binding that is usually made with goatskin, as it is durable and easy to dye. (see also...
- Octavo
- Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...
- Rebacked
- having had the material covering the spine replaced. ...
- Calf
- Calf or calf hide is a common form of leather binding. Calf binding is naturally a light brown but there are ways to treat the...
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
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