The Annals of Gallantry; Or, The Conjugal Monitor, Being a Collection

1814. London, 1814. 3 vols. with 16 hand-colored plates. London, 1814. 3 vols. with 16 hand-colored plates. With Sixteen Hand-Colored Plates, Three by George Cruikshank [Trials]. Moore, A. [Cruikshank, George, Illustrator]. [Jenkins, J., Illustrator]. The Annals of Gallantry; Or, The Conjugal Monitor: Being a Collection of Curious and Important Trials for Divorces, And Actions of Crim. Con. During the Present Reign; Accompanied with Biographical Memoirs and Anecdotes, And Illustrated with Notes. London: Printed for the proprietors, And Sold by M. Jones, 1814-1815. 3 volumes. 16 (of 18) hand-colored plates (2 bound as frontispieces), 2 uncolored plates (1 bound as a frontispiece). The three plates by Cruikshank, all in color, are present. Octavo (8" x 5"). Later signed Riviere morocco bindings, two volumes carefully rebacked retaining spines, gilt rules to boards, gilt spines with raised bands, gilt tooling to board edges, top edges gilt, gilt inside dentelles, colored endpapers, deckle fore and bottom edges, some signatures unopened, hinges of Volume I repaired. Some rubbing to extremities, corners of Volumes II and III bumped and somewhat worn, joints and hinges of Volume II starting, owner bookplate (of Marie L. Herrman) to front pastedown of each volume. Light toning to text, slightly heavier in places, a few leaves have faint offsetting from plates. A handsome set. $3,500. * Only edition (in this form). The Annals of Gallantry was originally issued in 18 monthly parts from March 1, 1814 to August 1, 1815. Intebmed to amuse and titillate. the accounts in these volumes are valuable nevertheless for their accurate reports and vivid background histories. What is more, this collection is a fascinating document of English social and legal attitudes toward adultery and divorce during the age of George IV and Jane Austen. The plates by Cruikshank, all in Volume I, are "Lady Grosvenor and the Duke of Cumberland Surprised by the Servant," "The Unwelcome Intruders" and "The Elopement of Lady W---- with Lord Paget." Cohn, A Bibliographical Catalogue of the Printed Works Illustrated by George Cruikshank 573.