This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/25/2023
Humours of a Fair. London: W&T Darton, Dec. 3, 1807. Writing sheet bearing eight colorful wood-engraved vignettes of an English fairground and its denizens, including Merryman shaving Mr. Punch, two fairgoers “eating hot whitepot for a prize,” “the rural dance,” a conjurer performing Cups and Balls as a clown looks on, children “bringing home the fairings,” a slack wire act, and at the top a lively view of the fairgrounds replete with banners, rides, stage shows, tents, and attendees. The central section of the sheet bears a four-stanza poem titled “Christmas Recollections” in the neat hand of, and signed and dated by a schoolboy of Bitteswell school, and is dated December 1819. 19 ¼ x 15 ¼”. Laid down to stiff card, with partial old mat remaining. Closed tears and marginal chips. Extracted from a publication issued by the Darton brothers’ press, which was well-known for juvenile works. See Celebrations of Curious Characters, frontispiece.