A COMIC ALPHABET

Pentonville (London): George Cruikshank, 1837. 24mo. 2nd edition, with the 1836 date on the front cover and 1837 hiding in a background poster on the rear cover. Published as a paperback with black and white engraved covers and 24 hand-colored engraved plates on a single sheet folded accordion style. This example was rebound in full brown leather during the 19th century by Pomey, who has been described variously as a noted Parisian bookbinder or as an English binder. Both covers are intricately tooled in gilt & black and feature gilt letters of the alphabet around the borders. Covers are bound in. Everything about this book shouts that it is the work of famed British caricaturist George Cruikshank (1792-1878). Ostensibly a children's book (like most alphabet books), its themes, language, even the jokes clearly are aimed at adults. As he was wont to do, Cruikshank focused the alphabet on problems in British society: for example, E for Equality shows a typical upper crust dandy strolling arm-in-arm with a soot covered chimney sweep. Words are often beyond the understanding of children: for example, Zoophyte is hardly one which would help a 10-year-old comprehend the letter Z (nor is the child likely to get the joke of a man eating a plant in the shape of a pig). One note about Pomey's design for the binding: his alphabet only goes up to the letter U, and I wonder if he simply ran out of room or perhaps was adding one final bit of humor to Cruikshank's work. The condition of the book is very good: bound tightly; pages are clean; color of illustrations remains quite bright. The book has been rebacked, which becomes obvious only with closer examination of the joints. The original spine with gilt title and date (1836) is laid down on the rebacking, and the decorated covers are not compromised in any way. The binding remains a very attractive and appropriate salute to the paperback original.. Second Edition. Hardcover. Collectible-Very Good. Illus. by George Cruikshank. 24mo - over 5" - 5¾" tall. Book.