George Cruikshank's Omnibus

Edited by Laman Blanchard

Published by Scribner, Welford, & Co., New York, 1870

About this Item

'New Edition.' Illustrated with One Hundred Engravings on Steel and Wood. This is going to be a bit of a complicated listing. I have not listed this book as a signed book, however I'm going to price it, defensively, with that possibility in mind. I did search the Internet to see whether there was another signed copy of this title for sale. I didn't find one. I also spent some time reviewing examples of his signature and what I saw did not create the confidence to identify this as a signed book. On the second front end paper the following inscription, in pencil, is written: 'Louie (or Louis?) from brother (looks like brother) George, Christmas '74'. Cruikshank passed away in 1878. Take a look at the photo. It looks like the first 'e' in George was possibly changed, probably by the signer, but who knows. I tried to find out whether he had a brother named Louie or Louis. He had an older brother name Isaac. I don't think he had any other brothers. He had two wives. I can't find any information about their families. He also had a mistress, a former servant, who he had eleven children with. Anyway, that's the story. You can see the covers of the book in the photos provided. They are in pretty nice condition, taking into account the age of the book. There is rub-through at all four corners. The edges are in pretty good shape, just a little light rubbing at the bottom ones. There is a scratch over some of the gilt lettering on the spine. There is wear and slight loss at the spine ends. The book is square, but the binding is not terrific. I've provided a photograph of a detachment in the middle of the book. Otherwise there are gatherings that are pulling away from one another, though not yet detached. Positively, the pages are very clean. In fact, in scrolling through them I only found one small spot on both sides of one page. I certainly could have missed a few, but clearly the pages are exceptionally clean. I did not see any foxing. And, beside a very light bottom corner semi-crease on a couple of early pages, there's very little creasing in this book. There is a very tiny loss on the outer edge of the one-page Preface. There are no markings in the book. There are no attachments. And with the exception of the mystery inscription, no one has written their name or anything else anywhere. I've rated the book only Fair. This is entirely due to the binding issues. Seller Inventory # 002977

Bibliographic Details

Title: George Cruikshank's Omnibus

Publisher: Scribner, Welford, & Co., New York

Publication Date: 1870

Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: George Cruikshank

Condition: Fair