![LEAR, Edward (1812-88). Book of Nonsense. [London: Thomas McLean, c.1846]. 2 volumes, oblong 4°. 73 full-page lithographed illustrations by Edward Lear only (of 74, one lacking from first vol., a few leaves cropped with occasional loss of letters and ?loss of imprint on titles, a few repaired marginal tears, patchy spotting and staining throughout, some mainly marginal staining mainly to vol. II). 19th-century green half calf, spine with raised bands and lettered in gilt, gilt edges (front free endpaper of vol. I detached, title pages apparently re-hinged, extremities lightly rubbed, some light staining and scuffing). Provenance: Henry Arthur Clowes (armorial bookplate) -- small original contemporary sketch [unsigned] on final blank of vol. II.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2006/CSK/2006_CSK_04072_0079_000(122000).jpg?w=1)
Details
LEAR, Edward (1812-88). Book of Nonsense. [London: Thomas McLean, c.1846]. 2 volumes, oblong 4°. 73 full-page lithographed illustrations by Edward Lear only (of 74, one lacking from first vol., a few leaves cropped with occasional loss of letters and ?loss of imprint on titles, a few repaired marginal tears, patchy spotting and staining throughout, some mainly marginal staining mainly to vol. II). 19th-century green half calf, spine with raised bands and lettered in gilt, gilt edges (front free endpaper of vol. I detached, title pages apparently re-hinged, extremities lightly rubbed, some light staining and scuffing). Provenance: Henry Arthur Clowes (armorial bookplate) -- small original contemporary sketch [unsigned] on final blank of vol. II.
LARGELY FIRST EDITION, including the 3 limericks discarded after the 1855 edition. The first limerick in each volume ("There was an old Derry down Derry") incorporates the title "Book of Nonsense" although Lear's name was not used until the third edition of 1862. Our copy has just 3 limericks printed in 5 lines (in addition to those on the title pages), namely "There was an old person of Cadiz" and "There was an old man of the Wrekin" in vol. I and "There was an old man of Kildare" in vol. II. The remainder are in 3 lines. Osborne I, 69. (2)
LARGELY FIRST EDITION, including the 3 limericks discarded after the 1855 edition. The first limerick in each volume ("There was an old Derry down Derry") incorporates the title "Book of Nonsense" although Lear's name was not used until the third edition of 1862. Our copy has just 3 limericks printed in 5 lines (in addition to those on the title pages), namely "There was an old person of Cadiz" and "There was an old man of the Wrekin" in vol. I and "There was an old man of Kildare" in vol. II. The remainder are in 3 lines. Osborne I, 69. (2)
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Please note that the friend of Edward Lear and great grandfather of the vendor was S W Clowes and not Henry Arthur Clowes as stated in the catalogue.