JERROLD, W. Blanchard. The Life of Douglas Jerrold. One volume bound in two. xvi, 324 pp. Illustrated with 104 portraits, views, plates, etc. 8vo., 183 x 119 mm, bound by Bayntun in three quarter dark green morocco and green cloth, spine faded to brown, spine compartments gilt, a.e.g. London: Bradbury, Evans and Co., [1870].


Extra-Illustrated copy of this biography of the renowned man of letters Douglas Jerrold - journalist, playwright, biographer, and the founder of Punch Magazine - written by his son. This copy is illustrated with portraits of literary and other celebrities of (mainly) nineteenth century England, plus numerous views and other plates, three scarce theatre playbills and eight contemporary manuscript letters. In all, this pair of volumes is highly representative of the Victorian Age.

In addition to the portrait of Douglas Jerrold issued with the book, this copy also contains 48 portraits, including John Keats, Thomas Carlyle, S. T. Coleridge, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Browning, David Garrick, Robert Burke, Samuel Johnson, Charles Dickens, Ben Johnson, Harriet Martineau, Alexander Pope, Sir Francis Bacon, Robert Southey and William Makepeace Thakeray. It is further augmented with 41 views, including J. W. Turner's view of Rhodes engraved by William Finden, and 4 additional plates.

Three rare playbills from performances at the Royal Theater, Covent Garden are also bound in with the work. One of the playbills advertises the 1829 performance of Carlo Maria Von Weber's Oberon, the foot of which bears an advertisement for "An Opera, composed by Rossini" to be performed a week later, a reference to the London debut of William Tell. Also included are a announcements for a performance of Macbeth and "Roberts Moving Panorama: In Ten Compartments." The seven original autograph letters include notes by Pierce Egan, J. P. Harley, Thomas Chalmers, Lord Brougham, Sir Robert Peel, Sidney Smith and Joseph Hume. A unique and fascinating item, beautifully bound and in excellent condition.