[EMBOSSED BINDING.] DE LA RUE, Thomas (binder). SHERIDAN, Louisa Henrietta.
The Comic Offering; or Ladies’ Melange of Literary Mirth, for MDCCCXXXII.
London, Smith, Elder, and Co., 1832.
8vo, pp. [4], xii, 373, [1], [6 (publisher’s advertisements)]; numerous illustrations; foxing to first few leaves, a few marks, generally a very good copy in maroon roan, both boards embossed in blind, signed De la Rue and Company, London; giant satirical figure (Punch?) at head, holding two up-ended cornucopiae of naughty pixie-like figures, title and date gilt to spine; all edges gilt, light wear to spine ends; ownership inscription of Sarah Hallam to free endpaper.
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The Comic Offering; or Ladies’ Melange of Literary Mirth, for MDCCCXXXII.
An appropriately light-hearted embossed binding, on the second outing of this compendium of humorous stories, verses and vignettes to amuse the highly refined young ladies of the early nineteenth century. The publisher’s advertisements mention other works that are in ‘elegantly embossed’ bindings.
‘This firm produced a number of fine albums, etc., stamped on the backs and sides with very finely executed blind imprints, which form a section of bookbinding technique which is deserving of close and specialised study (see Plate V [this design]).’ (Ramsden, London Book Binders).
Jamieson 20.
