Marrin's Bookshop

Item Description

FIRST EDITION. 12mo. 4.2 5 x 6.5 inches. 64 pp. Bound in early half red morocco, gilt, over marbled boards, enclosing original paper wrappers, with comic Signs of the Zodiac on front wrapper. Extremities a little worn, and occasional foxing; otherwise a very good copy. Early inscription on second free endpaper. Illustrated by 12 plates (2 per page) engraved by George Cruickshank, one for each month and by wood engravings in text. Decorated by title page vignette. An almanac with the usual useful information, notable daily events, sun rise and sunset and the phases of the moon, etc., but enlivened by comic season's signs and weather comments and by verses and articles. The brilliant illustrations by George Cruickshank (1792-1878) show paired contrasting scenes with a commentary, sometimes in verse or letter format. Their subjects include Before dinner, and After, Ringing a Peal, and Ringing a Belle, Valour and Discretion, The Ups and Downs of Life (balloon and diving bell) and Premium and Discount. The Comic Almanac was published, 1835-53.