“The Cruikshankian Momus”: Illustrated with Twelve Steel Plates, and One Hundred and Sixteen Engravings on Wood by George Cruikshank – New Edition – With India Paper Impressions

This Limited Edition copy of the 1892 Limited Edition of "The Cruikshankian Momus", by The Three Cruikshanks, The Elder Isaac, Robert, and the Great George was published in 1892 in London by John C. Nimmo. This is copy No. 79 of the 520 copies "printed for England and America". The book's title is enhanced by several sub-titles, such as "Pictorial Broadsides and Humorous Song-Headings", "Fifty-two Comic Designs to Popular Ballads", and "Coloured By Hand (After the Originals). In Greek mythology, the Momus of this book's title was the personification of satire and mockery. A book plate, attached to the inner front cover, identifies a previous owner to be B. Jones-Bateman of Pentre Mawr.

The book, which measures approximately 7 ¾ inches wide by 11 ½ inches tall by 1 ¼ inches thick, contains vii pages of preliminary matter followed by 136 numbered pages of text with small B&W text illustrations. The 52 plates colored by hand are each on an unnumbered sheet. The book is hardbound in blue cloth covered boards with gilt printing on the front and spine. The pages are gilt edged on top and untrimmed on the other edges. The pages are very lightly tanned, but all text and plates are clear and easily read. There are signs of wear on the cover, particularly at the outer corners and the top and bottom of the spine. The book is overall in very good condition.

The illustrations accompanying this description show the book's cover (front and spine), the Title page/frontispiece, the text Title page, a full page plate, and a typical 2-page spreads of text and a colored plate.

Isaac Cruikshank (1764–1811), Scottish painter and caricaturist, was born in Edinburgh and spent most of his career in London. Cruikshank is known for his social and political satire. His sons Isaac Robert Cruikshank (1789–1856) and George Cruikshank (1792–1878) also became artists, and the latter in particular achieved fame as an illustrator and caricaturist. [Wikipedia]

Isaac Robert Cruikshank, sometimes known as Robert Cruikshank (27 September 1789 – 13 March 1856) was a caricaturist, illustrator, and portrait miniaturist, the less well-known brother of George Cruikshank, both sons of Isaac Cruikshank. Just like them he holds importance as a pioneer in the history of comics for creating several cartoons which make use of narrative sequence and speech balloons. [Wikipedia]

George Cruikshank (27 September 1792 – 1 February 1878) was a British caricaturist and book illustrator, praised as the "modern Hogarth" during his life. His book illustrations for his friend Charles Dickens, and many other authors, reached an international audience. [Wikipedia]