A Collection of 20 Etched Proofs by George Cruikshank [SIGNED]

Author: Cruikshank, Georg
Title: A Collection of 20 Etched Proofs by George Cruikshank [SIGNED]
Publication: [London]: NP, [1830-1843]
Edition: Artist's Proof

Description: Hardcover. Folio (20 x 15"). [11] leaves (matted plates). Late 19th-century gilt-ruled full-calf portfolio, with string ties.

Splendid collection of 20 etched proofs printed on 11 folio sheets by the iconic British caricaturist and book illustrator George Cruikshank (1792-1878).

This collection includes:

1) The title page to "Yorkshireman, A Religious and Literary Journal" (1833), measuring 8 7/8 x 5 1/2", pasted onto a 12 x 8 1/2" sheet with lower margin inscribed and signed in pencil by the artist ("First proof. Geo. Cruikshank"). The sheet is matted on heavy cardstock (19 1/4 x 14 1/4"). Lower margin of cardstock with "1616" written in pencil. Some offsetting to cardstock, and foxing to etching and sheet.

2 and 3) Four illustrations to "The Bee and the Wasp" (1832), in two sheets. Each undivided double-illustration measures 12 3/4 x 10" and is matted on heavy cardstock (19 1/4 x 14 1/4"). The first double illustration is captioned "R 1563 and 1564" in pencil at lower margin, and the second is captioned "R 1564" and 1565." Second double-illustration foxed.

4) An undivided proof of four etchings measuring 13 1/2 x 8 1/2", pasted onto a 13 3/4 x 10 1/4" sheet, itself matted on a larger sheet of heavy cardstock (19 1/4 x 14 1/4").

The four illustrations were featured in "The Comic Almanak for 1842," with:

* At upper left, "High and Low Water," a pair of images with the top one depicting a family on a rainy observation desk, holding umbrellas, and the second image shows the same family dashing through an arcade as water drops down on them. "George Cruikshank" is printed at lower left of the plate;

* At upper right, "The Ups and Downs of Life," a pair of images with the top one showing an anxious looking family in an ascending balloon, and the second image depicts the same anxious-looking family, this time, in a diving bell. "George Cruikshank" is printed at lower left of the plate;

* At lower left, "Blood-Heat and Freezing-Point," a pair of images with the top one showing two men fighting with their fists and umbrellas at a tavern. The second image shows the same men getting ready to fight in a pistol duel. "George Cruikshank" is printed at lower left of the plate;

* At lower right, "Valour and Discretion," a pair of images with the top one showing soldiers marching to war, led by a drum and bugle. The second image depicts the same soldiers running away, and trampling on the bugler. "George Cruikshank" is printed at lower left of the plate;

Sporadic and moderate foxing.

5) A tissue-guarded undivided proof of four etchings measuring 13 1/8 x8 1/4", pasted onto a 13 3/4 x 9" sheet, itself matted on a larger sheet of heavy cardstock (19 1/4 x 14 1/4") with "1614" written in pencil at lower margin.

The four illustrations were featured in "The Comic Almanak for 1843," with:

* At upper left "Oh Law!," a cartoon lampooning the court of chancery: A street scene shows judges as street merchants, hawking kites, selling baked potatoes, etc.. One judge sits at the far left, reading "Othello." "George Cruikshank" is printed at the lower left;

* At upper right, "Science Under Divers Forms": An ocean scene showing a fish-shaped submarine casting a beam in front of it while worried fishes and mermaids hasten away. "George Cruikshank" is printed at lower left;

* At lower left, "The Cold Water Cure," a cartoon lampooning hydrotherapy: A series of images show various ways of getting doused with water by sitting in it, lying under pumps and spigots, or getting wrapped in wet sheets. "George Cruikshank" is printed at lower left of the plate;

* At lower right, A Set of China 1943," a cartoon lampooning the Chinese in three images: "The Court," "The Street," and "The Ball-Room." "George Cruikshank" is printed at lower right of the plate.

Sporadic and moderate foxing.

6) A tissue-guarded undivided proof of two etchings measuring 8 3/4 x 6 3/4", pasted onto a 13 3/8 x 10 1/8" sheet with "1616" written in pencil at lower margin, itself matted on a larger sheet of heavy cardstock (19 1/4 x 14 1/4").

The illustration on the right is a blank title page with twelve vignettes for the "Comic Almanak," and the illustration on the left is a blank decorative frame also for the same almanach.

Foxing to etchings and sheet.

7 to 11) A series of five unidentified etchings, with the first three on grey woven paper (size: 7 1/4 x 4 1/4"), each pasted onto a 11 1/2 x 8 1/2" sheet, itself matted on a 19 1/4 x 14 1/4" heavy cardstock:

* The first etching depicts a bedroom, with an older woman seated in a sedan chair, and a man in a dressing gown at the left. "Geo. Cruikshank fect." printed at bottom center. "1617" is written in pencil at lower margin of the sheet. Minor foxing.

* The second etching depicts a lady with her hair being powdered at a hair salon. "Geo. e. Cruikshank fect." printed at bottom center. "1613" is written in pencil at lower margin of the sheet.

* The third etching depicts five persons discussing at a literary salon. "Geo. e. Cruikshank fect." printed at bottom center. "1612" is written in pencil at lower margin of the sheet.
Etching evenly foxed.

The two remaining etchings are on woven sheets, each measuring 11 3/4 x 8 1/2", and each mounted on a 19 1/4 x 14 1/4" heavy cardstock:

* The first etching depicts a family of six standing and discussing in their living room. "George Cruikshank" printed at bottom center. Minor foxing.

* The second etching depicts a wealthy lady and her suite entering the dwelling of a poor family. "George Cruikshank" printed at bottom center. Minor foxing.

Portfolio partly rubbed and foxed along edges, with some abrasion to calf. Portfolio in overall fair to good-, interior in good to very good condition. f to vg.

Seller ID: 42126

Subject: Arts: Fine