The Ricky Jay Collection Part III

GRIMALDI, Joseph (1778–1837). Archive of Etchings Depicting Grimaldi in His Many Roles. London, ca. 1808 - 15. Group of well-rendered prints from various publishers, several attractively colored, picturing the famous clown in humorous scenes with several reproducing the lyrics to his songs underneath the images. Included are: All The World’s In Paris (1815); — another, from Harlequin Whittington, delicately hand-colored, but the image only; — Pretty Better Brill (ca. 1812); — The Clown and his Neddy, a one penny handbill with hand-colored woodcut of Grimaldi at top; a small quantity of toy theater sheets most depicting Grimaldi and other comic characters; — Poll of Horselydown; A Bull in a China-Shop (1808); — Some Portraits Scenes & Incidents in the Life of Grimaldi by Dickens, “privately printed,” very finely colored; — Grimaldi the Nondescript in The Red Dwarf; — Grimaldi’s Bold Dragoon (from the Red Dwarf). The largest 12 ¾ × 15 5/8”. Generally bright and attractive, with some mounted to stiff cards.