CRUIKSHANK (ROBERT) [WESTMACOTT (CHARLES MOLLOY)] The English Spy: The Original Work, Characteri...

CRUIKSHANK (ROBERT) [WESTMACOTT (CHARLES MOLLOY)] The English Spy: The Original Work, Characteristic, Satirical, and Humorous. Comprising Scenes and Sketches in Every Rank of Society, Being Portraits of the Illustrious, Eminent, Eccentric, and Notorious. Drawn from the Life by Bernard Blackmantle, 2 vol., FIRST EDITION, 71 hand-coloured aquatint plates by Robert Cruikshank (67), Thomas Rowlandson (2), Brighty (1) and Wageman (1), 75 woodcuts (one full-page), red crushed morocco gilt by Morrell, sides with triple gilt rule borders, gilt panelled spines with raised bands, inner gilt dentelles, g.e., preserved in red felt-lined chemises and within a single red morocco pull-off case [Abbey Life 325; Tooley 504], 8vo, Sherwood, Gilbert and Piper, 1825-1826 Footnotes: A fine copy of the The English Spy, described by Hardie as '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'. Readers of the period would immediately have recognised the likes of Byron, Beau Brummell, Pierce Egan, Henry Brougham and the Duke of Wellington. The text is by C.M. Westmacott, a journalist notorious for extorting money from personalities with a promise of keeping their names out of print. Most of the plates are by Robert Cruikshank, but two are by Rowlandson including 'R.—A.'s of Genius Reflecting on the True Line of Beauty at the Life Academy'. Provenance: Thomas W. Lawson and Harold Greenhill, bookplates. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: • • Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing