The Life of George Cruikshank
- London: Chatto and Windus, 1883
London: Chatto and Windus, 1883. New edition. Octavo (7 1/4 x 4 1/4 in; 180 x 116 mm). xvi, 392 pp. Nineteen black and white plates with tissue guards, sixty-five black and white text illustrations. Bound by Kelly & Sons ca. 1900 in an unusual Kelliegram (thus signed) binding of full crimson crushed morocco with gilt-decorated frame to covers, and multi-colored morocco inlaid portrait to spine. One raised band. Turn-ins with gilt corner pieces. All edges gilt. Green silk end leaves. Original red cloth covers and spine bound in at rear. With the bookplate of John J. Raskob.
This biography celebrates the life and work of George Cruikshank. Cruikshank was and remains the most celebrated caricaturist and book illustrator of the 19th century. The previous owner, the noted book collector John Jakob Raskob, was a financial executive and businessman for DuPont and General Motors, and the builder of the Empire State Building.
This unusual design makes for a surprising example of a Kelliegram binding. Known for their highly detailed pictorial inlaid color leather bindings, the London-based firm Kelly and Sons was one of the longest running in the trade. Started in 1770 by John Kellie, various family members continued the business into the early twentieth century. Charming, beautiful, and occasionally whimsical, the inlaid designs were often inspired by in-text illustrations.
This biography celebrates the life and work of George Cruikshank. Cruikshank was and remains the most celebrated caricaturist and book illustrator of the 19th century. The previous owner, the noted book collector John Jakob Raskob, was a financial executive and businessman for DuPont and General Motors, and the builder of the Empire State Building.
This unusual design makes for a surprising example of a Kelliegram binding. Known for their highly detailed pictorial inlaid color leather bindings, the London-based firm Kelly and Sons was one of the longest running in the trade. Started in 1770 by John Kellie, various family members continued the business into the early twentieth century. Charming, beautiful, and occasionally whimsical, the inlaid designs were often inspired by in-text illustrations.