LANE, Theodore (c.1800–1828), illustrator -- COMBE, William. The Naturalist. [1822]. 4º (320 x 245mm). A manuscript verse narrative, title as above, 10 pages, laid into an album together with with 3 original watercolours by Lane, and a one-page covering letter from Cruikshank to the artist, dated Lambeth Road, Surrey, 2 April 1822, stating: 'I send the verses descriptive of your designs.' He asks to be remunerated 'on the delivery of the manuscript,' but adds 'remuneration ...I leave to Mr. Ackermann.' Early 20th-century straight-grained black morocco, gilt rules, gilt spine lettering, gilt edges. Provenance: Herschel V. Jones (bookplate). The first of Lane's charming watercolours shows an antiquarian in his study; the next the same figure attending 'a sale of antiquarian fame' which becomes an assignation for his much younger wife, Belinda; and the last his discovery of 'Belinda sitting on the knee/Of a gay, gallant am'rous youth' in a moonlit garden. Lane's talent was for humorous subjects, and he produced thirty-six etchings for The Life of an Actor, with letterpress by Pierce Egan, published in 1825. He also illustrated A Complete Panorama of the Sporting World and Egan's Anecdotes of the Turf, the Chase, the Ring, and the Stage (1827) with etchings and woodcuts. However, the present work appears to be unpublished.