The Life of Sir John Falstaff: A Biography of the Knight from Authentic Sources
London: Longman, Brown, Green, Longmans, and Roberts, 1858. First edition in book form. Hardcover. Quarto. XX, 196pp. Striking gilt-stamped morocco with gold lettering and tooling on spine and George Cruikshank's signature in gilt on front cover. Raised bands. Gold ruling on covers. Top edge gilt. Dentelles. Handsome binding signed by Sangorski & Sutcliffe. Engraved frontispiece. Pictorial recollection of the most prominent events in the imaginary career of Shakespeare's most humorous character, seen through his genealogy and various episodes of his life, such as "How Mr. John Falstaff was Knighted by King Richard the Second," or his "Disgrace." This work contains 20 stunning etched plates by artist George Cruikshank who depicts twenty scenes from the adventures of Shakespeare’s Sir John Falstaff with expressive lines and an abundance of humorous detail. Sporadic and minor rubbing along edges of binding. Slight age-toning along paper margin. Minor and sporadic foxing at verso of plates. Binding and interior in overall good+ to very good condition. vg. Item #35523
Price: $350.00