book;
book-illustration;
print
- Museum number
- 1864,0611.771-786
- Description
-
Reid 4826. An illustrated book entitled "Italian Tales." Bound in marbled cardboard and leather with the title in gold lettering on the spine.
Lettered on the title page:
"Italian Tales. Tales of Humour, Gallantry and Romance selected and translated from the Italian with sixteen illustrative drawings by George Cruikshank. London: Printed for Charles Baldwyn, Newgate Street. MDCCCXXIV."
The illustrations are described by GW Reid as follows (The title of the short story and page number is printed beneath each illustration.):
1. Reid 3243. "The teacher taught." Lady Giovanna driving the messenger of Bacciuolo from her door.
2. Reid 3244. "The teacher taught." Lady Giovanna baffling her husband and assisting Bacciuolo to escape.
3. Reid 3245. "The teacher taught." The professor enraged against Bacciuolo stabbing the linen in the presence of his wife's brothers.
4. Reid 3246. "The unexpected reply." Alano answering Messer Giulio Piero from under the abbot's cloak.
5. Reid 3247. "Who am I?" Grasso awaking from the effects of opium, and astonished to find himself at home.
6. Reid 3248. "Who am I." Grasso flying into a rage from the brothers of Matteo towards St. Maria del Fiore.
7. Reid 3249. "The dead rider." The young friar, in his rage at being compelled to wait so long, throwing a large stone at the deceased Messer Diego, who sat in the closet after Don Roderigo strangled him.
8. Reid 3250. "The dead rider." The young monk's terror at being pursued by what he supposes to be the spirit of Messer Diego.
9. Reid 3251. "The Pomegranate seed." The young Count of Barcleona disguised as a pedlar, offering wares to Bianca and her friends.
10. Reid 3252. "The dead alive." The alarm of the porters on hearing Santi del Grande speak, whom they supposed to be dead.
11. Reid 3253. "The merchant of Venice." "The Jew's" embrassment on being told by Gianetto to take a pound of flesh from Ansaldo without spilling one drop of blood.
12. Reid 3254. "There is a skeleton in every house." The Neapolitan lady showing Madame Corsina the skeleton of her lover hanging from a beam.
13. Reid 3255.(Not included in this edition. See comments.)
14. Reid 3256. "The friar entapped." Friar Stefano preaching a Sermon from the chest to the surprise of Girolamo and his friend.
15. Reid 3257. "Belphagor." Pluto's council of infernal deities.
16. Reid 3258. "The sleeping draught." The Augustin friars restoring Giannozza from the effects of the sleeping draught.
17. Reid 3259. "The sleeping draught." Marriotte Mignelli endeavouring to break open the tomb where he supposes Giannozza to be buried.
18. A tailpiece on the final page, not described by Reid.
Lettered at the end of the text. "Printed by T. White, Johnson's Court, Fleet Street.
1824
Wood engraved illustrations to a letterpress book bound cardboard with leather spine.
- Dimensions
-
Height: 190 millimetres
-
Width: 117 millimetres
- Curator's comments
- Description quoted from GW Reid: "A Descriptive catalogue of the works of George Cruikshank."
According to GW Reid 4826, the first edition has sixteen woodcuts (woodengravings); plate 13 however was wanting in two copies of the first edition consulted; proofs were issued. All proofs free of letterpress below. Second edition, Plate 7 suppressed, and plate 9 used as a vignette; some of them have text behind.
The version of 'The Merchant of Venice' reproduced in this text differs somewhat to Shakespeare's play.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1864
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1864,0611.771-786
