The Second Tour of Doctor Syntax, In Search of Consolation - 1823

This is the First Miniature Edition of The Second Tour of Doctor Syntax, In Search of Consolation; A Poem by William Combe and Illustrated by Thomas Rowlandson. It was published in 1823 in London by R. Ackermann. The book, which measures approximately 3 ½ x 5 ¾ inches, contains 277 pages plus 24 hand-colored plates. From 1809 to 1811, Mr. Combe wrote, for Ackermann's Poetical Magazine, the famous Tour of Dr Syntax In Search of the Picturesque (descriptive and moralizing verse of a somewhat doggerel type), which, owing greatly to Thomas Rowlandson's designs, was an immense success. It was published separately in 1812 and was followed by two similar Tours, "In Search of Consolation" and "In Search of a Wife", the first Mrs Syntax having died at the end of the first Tour.

The pages of the book are slightly tanned, with occasional foxing (particularly on the pages opposite the hand-colored plates). The covers are sturdy, with a little wear around the edges. Other than these shortcomings, the book is in very good condition.

The illustrations accompanying this description show the book's cover, a two-page spread showing the title page and the first hand-colored plate, the first page of an Introduction, a two-page spread showing a page of text and a hand-colored plate, and a table listing all the hand-colored plates in the book.

William Combe (25 March 1742 – 19 June 1823) was a British miscellaneous writer. His early life was that of an adventurer, his later was passed chiefly within the "rules" of the King's Bench Prison. He is chiefly remembered as the author of The Three Tours of Dr. Syntax, a comic poem satirising William Sawrey Gilpin. His cleverest piece of work was a series of imaginary letters, supposed to have been written by the second, or "wicked" Lord Lyttelton. Of a similar kind were his letters between Swift and "Stella". He also wrote the letterpress for various illustrated books, and was a general hack. [Wikipedia]

Thomas Rowlandson (13 July 1757 – 21 April 1827) was an English artist and caricaturist of the Georgian Era, noted for his political satire and social observation. A prolific artist and printmaker, Rowlandson produced both individual social and political satires, as well as a large number of illustrations for novels, humorous books, and topographical works. Like other caricaturists of his age his caricatures are often robust or bawdy. His caricatures included those of people in power such as the Duchess of Devonshire, William Pitt the Younger, and Napolean Bonaparte. [Wikipedia]