book;
book-illustration;
print
- Museum number
- 1865,1111.1863-1917
- Description
-
Reid 4966. An illustrated edition of Harrison Ainsworth's 'The Tower of London.'
Bound in brown textile with a gold design representing a portcullis around the title and a stylized image of the Tower of London, also in gold, on the back cover.
With a vignette illustration on the title-page, Reid 3889, which represents the execution of Lord Guildford Dudley on Tower Hill.
Lettered on the title-page:
"The tower of London. An historical romance by William Harrison Ainsworth. Illustrated by George Cruikshank."
Below the illustration: "London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street; Bookseller in Ordinary to her Majesty." MDCCCXL.
The text is illustrated with wood engraved illustrations (See references and comments) which represent the architecture of the Tower. It is also includes etchings listed on page xiii and xiv (see individual entries for 1865,1111. 1822-1862.)
1840
Letterpress book with wood engraved illustrations
- Production date
- 1840
- Dimensions
-
Height: 238 millimetres (approx. page height)
-
Width: 142 millimetres (approx.page width)
- Curator's comments
- Originally issued in either 12 or 13 parts in yellow wrappers with a total of forty etchings on steel and fifty eight wood engravings. See Cohn 14 for detailed descriptions of different issues.
With a second edition published by Hugh Cunningham in 1842.
For further information, see RL Patten, 'George Cruikshank's life times and art, Volume 2 1835-1878.' pp 129-152.
The etched illustration plates are loose but positioned in the text according to the list of plates at the beginning of the volume. The locations represented in the wood engraved vignette illustrations, integrated with the text, often correspond with that of the historical drama shown in the etched illustration plate.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- In fragile condition with damage to the spine and loose pages.
- Acquisition date
- 1865
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1865,1111.1863-1917
