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Author: [Combe, William]
Title: The Tour of Doctor Syntax, in Search of the Picturesque. A Poem. Seventh Edition, with new Plates. [With:] The Second Tour of Doctor Syntax, in Search of Consolation; A Poem. Volume Second. [With:] The Third Tour of Doctor Syntax, In Search of A Wife. A Poem.
Place Published: London
Publisher:R. Ackermann's Repository of the Arts
Date Published: 1817-1820-(1821)
Description:

3 volumes. v, 276; [v], 277; [iii], 279 pp. Two pictorial title pages, seventy-eight plates, and one tailpiece; all colored aquatints by Thomas Rowlandson. (8vo) 23x14cm (9x5½") full straight-grain morocco, gilt-ruled, spines ornamented in gilt, giltlettered red and green morocco spine labels, gilt dentelles, a.e.g., by Rivière & Son. Seventh Edition of Volume One (the first in 1812); First Editions of Volumes Two and Three; Volume Two is in the second state.

Laid into Volume One is a brief, undated ALs signed by Wm. Combe, asking after a sick friend and enclosing a copy of "Dr. S____." Combe's doggerel verses were written to accompany Rowlandson's plates depicting the adventures of a roving school-master, produced for a periodical published by Akermann. The two collaborators, who worked separately, began by satirizing the romantic zest for picturesque landscape championed by William Gilpin; but the wildly popular work--and its sequels--soon became a jovial ramble through all levels of English life. [Abbey, Life, 266 & 267 (Part One does not appear in the bibliography). Tooley 427, 428 & 427.]

Spine joints worn, edge wear, bookplate; near fine.