Book of Limericks
Boston: Little, Brown, c. 1888. Hardcover. Fine / Near fine. Item #24698
When Lear died in 1888 his then current American publisher, Roberts Brothers, prepared this volume of his works as a tribute, but their acquisition by Little, Brown delayed publication. The new owners issued it under their own imprint, but kept the layout prepared by Roberts Brothers, including the copyright date.
The work includes The Book of Nonsense, One Hundred Nonsense Pictures and Rhymes, Nonsense Songs, and Laughable Lyrics. Each section retained its own pagination.
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First Little, Brown edition, and likely the first complete American edition of Lear's nonsense works. 8vo. xii, (1) (25)-85, (2), (7-37, (2), 7-41pp. Red cloth, gilt title and vignette on upper board. A fine, bright copy. The dustwrapper mirrors the upper board of the book. It is rough along the edges and lightly chipped but gives a very good appearance. A rare survival as most dustwrappers of the period were discarded.
Price: $1,500.00