Moments of Fancy and Whim by Henry Alken

London: Published by Thomas M'Lean, 1823. There Is A Pleasure in Being Mad Which None But Madmen Know"
"Some Men To Business Some To Pleasure Take.
Some Their Troubles, Some Their Fortunes Make"

ALKEN, Henry. Moments of Fancy and Whim... We rather fancy, than Know. London: Published by Thomas M'Lean, 1823.

First edition. Oblong folio (10 3/4 x 16 1/2 inches; 272 x 419 mm.).

Part one only (of two) Seven hand colored engraved plates.

Late nineteenth century half maroon morocco over maroon cloth boards, lettered in gilt on front cover. Original printed wrappers bound in. With the Armorial book-plate of Sir Savile Brinton Crossley Bart. on front paste-down.

An excellent copy of this extremely rare and highly amusing suite of plates.

Originally issued in two parts. Size of engraved surface 10 x 13 3/4 inches (253 x 350 mm.).

The plates are titled:

1. A Phaeton and Four
2. Not a bit of Fancy; A bit of Fancy; All Fancy & Whim; A Political Fancy; A Dangerous Fancy
3. Real English Fancy; No fancy for the Fare; I fancy we have spoil'd the thing Bob.
Yes, but where do you fancy the horse is gone
4. A Fancy Man; A Fancy Woman; Hallo! I say what are you arter there
5. Past Consideration; Present Consideration; Future Consideration; Breaking up; Breaking open; Breaking in
6. Got an Engagement/Wanting an Engagement; He sat like patience on a Monument smiling at grief;
I would not touch a Hair of that man's head; Damn me Tom, but it must be the boney part. Let us take it;
I say Jack, I have found this horse
7. There is a pleasure in being Mad which none but madman know; I likes to see them best;
Some men to business some to pleasure take. Some their troubles, some their fortunes make; A Carriage & Four

Savile Brinton Crossley, 1st Baron Somerleyton GCVO, PC (1857-1935), known as Sir Savile Crossley, Bt, from 1872 to 1916, was a British Liberal Unionist politician who served as Paymaster General from 1902 to 1905.

Tooley, 40; Siltzer, p.71; Mellon/Snelgrove, 97.