The Dance of Life, a poem, by the author of "Doctor Syntax." illustrated with coloured engravings, by Thomas Rowlandson

London: R. Ackermann, Repository of Arts, 101, Strand, 1817. First Edition. Mottled Calf. Near Fine+. First Edition in book form (originally published in eight monthly parts), Rowlandson and Combe's companion-piece to their earlier "The Dance of Death" and one of Rowlandson's finest works. Royal 8vo: [2],ii,ii,285,[3]pp, with additional engraved title page, frontispiece (representing Time pointing at various scenes on a screen), and 24 hand-colored engravings by Thomas Rowlandson. (Hardie has shown that the four leaves of advertisements found in some copies could not have been bound in until after 1820.) Contemporary mottled calf, respined, covers framed with gilt role, black morocco lettering piece gilt, marbled edges. An excellent copy, tightly bound, virtually free of foxing, with richly colored examples of the plates. Abbey, Life, 264. Tooley 410. Grolier, Rowlandson, 38. Prideaux, pp. 306-07 ("notably above the ordinary level of Combe's verse. . . . show[ing] the better side of Rowlandson's genius."). Hardie, p. 318. Combe's Doctor Syntax series, a collaboration with the caricaturist Thomas Rowlandson, began as a monthly feature in Rudolph Ackermann's Poetical Magazine, beginning in May 1810, with Rowlandson producing the illustrations first and Combe writing the poetry, in iambic tetrameter, second. It was a collaborative style the two continued in further joint works, including The Dance of Death and The Dance of Life. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).