Real Life in London; or, The Rambles and Adventures of Bob Tallyho, Esq. and His Cousin, The Hon. Tom Dashall, Through The Metropolis; Exhibiting A Living Picture Of Fashionable Characters, Manners, And Amusements In High And Low Life

London: Jones & Co, 1822. First edition. leather_bound. Contemporary, rebacked full tan morocco, covers in diaper pattern. 2 vols. Very good. 656 & 668 pages. 21.5 x 14 cm. 8vo, nineteen hand-colored plates Vol.I, and thirteen colored plates, Vol.II., with one (Tom and Bob catching a Charley Napping) of the two extra plates. These are colored aquatints and etchings reinforced by aquatinting. Illustrated by Alken, Dighton, Brooke, Rowlandson, etc. First edition title page, later issue plates. Originally issued in 56 parts. "A book full of contrarieties and difficulties for the bibliographer, there being innumerable variations of the plates....Real Life in London both as regards the text and the plates is an imitation of Egan's Life in London. Though not the equal of the latter it has considerable merit, serves as a foil to its illustrious contemporary and is an interesting and useful guide to the social history of the period." [see:TOOLEY 198]. ABBEY LIFE 280. "..one of the most complicated and bewildering books every published, rivaling Pickwick in the tangle of variant states that exist in text and plates." Raised bands, spine labels in russet and green, cover panels in floral gilt and blind motifs, corner wear, light text toning, occasional light offsetting.