Liffith Lank; or, Lunacy.: Illustrations by Sol Eytinge, Jr. Quotations by various authors

PRESENTATION COPY

WEBB, C[harles] H[enry]. Liffith Lank; or, Lunacy. Illustrations by Sol Eytinge, Jr. Quotations by various authors. 12mo, original gilt stamped and lettered green cloth, pp. 48. New York: Carleton, 1866. 1866

First Edition. Nearly fine copy of a book rarely found inscribed, as here. The author's first book, an avowed "travestie" of Charles Reade's scandalous Griffith Gaunt, or Jealousy, published earlier the same year. First printed in the New York Times and dedicated to Henry J. Raymond, editor of that newspaper. Inscribed: "Miss Julia Pomeroy, authoress of the 'S's R or the B. C." with the compliments of her fellow author. C. H. Webb, N. Y. July 9th '67." Webb, a journalits and poet, was a frequent contributor to the Californian. The recipient was possibly the pianist and composer, Julia W. Pomeroy, author of California Polka (1849), who is mentioned by the composer A. P. Heinrich, "The Western Minstrel," in an 1850 letter to Jenny Lind, also mentioning the polka. The year after the publication of this book, Webb was the publisher and sponsor of Mark Twain's first book, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras Country. With 12 in-text illustrations. Wright II-2667. Not in Hamilton.