GILLRAY, James (1756-1815)

Illustrative Description of the Genuine Works of Mr. James Gillray

London: Thomas M'Lean, 1830. 8vo. (9 7/8 x 6 11/16 inches). viii, 388. [4] pp. The final [4] pp. contains a list of political caricatures recently published by M'Lean.

Half calf over marbled boards, flat spine ruled in six compartments, lettered in the second

The very rare text volume, limited to 100 copies published, that accompanied Gillray's famous collection of satirical prints

Widely considered the father of the political cartoon, James Gillray used his vicious humour and unparalleled draughtsmanship to produce some of the greatest political satire in history, providing foundations for an unapologetically British art form. His lively cartoons of George III, Napoleon I, William Pitt, and countless other characters were extremely popular with the public at the time and left a lasting impression upon eighteenth-century politics in England. Indeed, the author of Illustrative Description, possibly the publisher Thomas M'Lean, observes that his subject is 'universally allowed to have been the most eminent satirist of modern times; indeed, he stood without a rival in the art of graphic burlesque'. The present work accompanied two large folio volumes (not present) that collected Gillray's prints, also published in 1830. The text volume is rare, as only 100 copies were printed for sale.

Bennett II, 1000 (refers); Lowndes III, 894 (refers).

Item #41159

Price: $2,800.00