The English Spy: An Original Work, Characteristic, Satirical and Humorous. Comprising Scenes and Sketches in Every Rank of Society, Being Portraits of the Illustrious, Eminent, Eccentric, and Notorious
by [Charles Molloy Westmacott, writing as] BLACKMANTLE, Bernard (c. 1788-1868); Robert Cruikshank (Illustrates)
- Used
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Sherwood, Jones and Co. [through 1826], 1825. First Edition. Supposed First Issue (with plate 28 , vol. I, misdated 1284 and p.222, vol. II, blank) of one of the finest English color plate books, complete in two volumes. (Abbey and Tooley disagree, with Abbey arguing that these points are without bibliographical value.) Royal 8vo: xiii,417; xv,[1],399,[1]pp, with 71 hand-colored aquatints by Robert Cruikshank, Rowlandson, and others; 1 uncolored woodcut plate and 74 wood engravings in text. Bound in full crimson levant morocco, covers framed with French fillets, elaborately gilt-tooled spines and dentelles, marbled end papers, all edges gilt. the binding exquisite. Light bumping and wear to several corners, mild offsetting from plates, very occasional foxing, still an excellent copy inside and out, the binding exquisite, the plates vividly colored. Abbey Life 325. Tooley 504. Prideaux, p. 310. Martin Hardie, pp. 191-92. Originally published in 24 monthly parts, The English Spy provides a vivid panorama of English high- and low-life, "a veritable chronique scandaleuse of the time. In the pages of this extraordinary work figure all the notables of the day, either openly or under slight disguise" (Hardie). Described by Prideaux as "perhaps the most daring book ever published," as many of the characters, including Lord Byron, Beau Brummell, Pierce Egan, Pea-green Hayne, Henry Brougham, and the Duke of Wellington, were instantly recognizable to its early readers. Most of the plates are by Robert Cruikshank, who figures in the book under the pseudonym "Robert Transit"; two plates are by Thomas Rowlandson, notably "R.—A.'s [Royal Academicians] of Genius Reflecting on the True Line of Beauty at the Life Academy" (featuring portraits of West, Shee, Haydon, Lawrence, Westmacott and Flaxman); a few others were contributed by G. M. Brighty and T. Wageman. The numerous in-text woodcuts are after Cruikshank, Rowlandson, Gillray and Finlay. The lively text is by the journalist (and blackmailer) C. M. Westmacott, notorious as a muckraker and for extorting large sums of money from victims, including royalty, eager to keep their names out of print. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Fine Editions Ltd (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- BB1304
- Title
- The English Spy: An Original Work, Characteristic, Satirical and Humorous. Comprising Scenes and Sketches in Every Rank of Society, Being Portraits of the Illustrious, Eminent, Eccentric, and Notorious
- Author
- [Charles Molloy Westmacott, writing as] BLACKMANTLE, Bernard (c. 1788-1868); Robert Cruikshank (Illustrates)
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First Edition
- Publisher
- Sherwood, Jones and Co. [through 1826]
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1825
- Keywords
- Satire, English. Manners and customs. Satire, English. England—Social life and customs.
- Bookseller catalogs
- XIX CENTURY;
- Note
- May be a multi-volume set and require additional postage.
Terms of Sale
Fine Editions Ltd
We guarantee the condition of every book as it's described on the Biblio web sites. If you're dissatisfied with your purchase (Incorrect Book/Not as Described/Damaged) or if the order hasn't arrived, you're eligible for a refund within 30 days of the estimated delivery date. If you have any questions, please contact us and we'll respond within 2 business days.
About the Seller
Fine Editions Ltd
Biblio member since 2005
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
About Fine Editions Ltd
Fine Editions specializes in First Editions of English and American Literature, Landmarks In Science and the History Of Ideas, Natural History and Color-Plate books, Travel and Voyages, and books on Gardening and Landscape Design. Our hallmark is condition: with few exceptions (mostly relating to our antiquarian stock), all books sold are in Near Fine or better conditions and all are highly collectible.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Edges
- The collective of the top, fore and bottom edges of the text block of the book, being that part of the edges of the pages of a...
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
- Plate
- Full page illustration or photograph. Plates are printed separately from the text of the book, and bound in at production. I.e.,...
- G
- Good describes the average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects must be noted. (as defined by AB...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Morocco
- Morocco is a style of leather book binding that is usually made with goatskin, as it is durable and easy to dye. (see also...