book;
print
- Museum number
- 1869,1009.39
- Description
-
An edition of 'The pilgrim's progress.' by John Bunyan. A letterpress book with engraved frontispiece and title-page illustrations. With a frontispiece illustration by Isaac Robert Cruikshank and a title-page illustration by George Cruikshank, engraved by Davenport.
The frontispiece represents a portrait on Bunyan in an oval frame with the cross and crown of thorns above it, and a dove irradiated at the top of the page. Beneath the portrait, a scene of a woman with an infant and three children in a landscape walking towards a building on a hill surrounded by rays of light.
Lettered on the title-page "The pilgrim's progress, by John Bunyan. With notes by W. Mason and a life of the author."
The illustration on the title-page, Reid 4504, represents a hexangular form, with a view of Mount Sion, the crucified Christ on the right, in the centre of a glory, three angels attend, standing on a cloud at the foot of the cross. A Christian approaching on the left with his hands clasped in ecstasy and his wallet falling from his shoulders.
With the publisher's details at the foot of the page:
"Published by Dean and Munday, 35 Threadneedle Street."
A further title-page within the book reads:
"The pilgrim's progress, from this world to that which is to come; delivered under the similitude of a dream; wherein is discovered the manner of his setting out, his dangerous journey and safe arrival at the desired country." By John Bunyan. With the quotation:
"I have used similitudes" Hos xii 10.
With further publication details below:
"Illustrated with copious notes, by W. Mason to which is prefixed, The life of the author.
London printed and sold by Dean and Munday."
1823
Letterpress and engraving
- Production date
- 1823
- Dimensions
-
Height: 170 millimetres
-
Width: 105 millimetres
- Curator's comments
- Description based on GW Reid, 'A descriptive catalogue of the works of George Cruikshank.' 1871.
A re-issue of an 1816 publication (See Cohn 98).
According to Cohn, George Cruikshank was also associated with two later editions of Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's progress.' He contributed the etching 'Vanity Fair' to an edition published by Fisher and Sons.
A limited edition version of 'The pilgrim's progress' with wood engraved illustrations based on drawings by George Cruikshank was published by H. Frowde in was issued 1903. Only one thousand numbered copies were produced.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- In very fraguile condition. The front cover is loose in the binding.
- Acquisition date
- 1869
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1869,1009.39
