JOHN LEECH'S PICTURES OF LIFE AND CHARACTER; From the Collection of "Mr. Punch."
London: Bradbury, Agnew, & Co., Ltd., c.1880. John Leech. Later edition. Decorated & gilt-stamped cloth. Folio, red pictorial cloth with gold & black lettering & gold embossed boy throwing carving knives at a butler while a dog looks on, profusely illustrated with Leech's B&W contributions to Punch, all edges gilt (a.e.g.), 284 pages (including an Index). Near Fine / None. Item #1704
Superb and still humorous cartoons by John Leech lampooning British society.
John Leech (1817-1864) was a brilliant English caricaturist, cartoonist, and illustrator. In 1840, Leech began his career as an illustrator with a series of etchings for Bentley's Miscellany. (Charles Dickens also contributed to the same periodical.)
In 1841, Leech's connection with Punch began, which continued until his death and resulted in the production of the best-known of his designs. Leech worked with etchings, lithographs, and especially via wood engravings. He had a delightful humorous touch.
Our Volume 1 covers the cartoonist's early years from 1842-1864. This handsome volume contains illustrated titles, frontispieces, and illustrations on every page with captions. The frontispiece depicts equally handsome Leech himself. There are two other volumes that appeared in this set, but this vol. is complete in itself and delightful.
Punch, or the London Charivari was a British weekly magazine of humour and satire established in 1841 by Henry Mayhew. It became very influential for its "cartoons" and satirical drawings during the 1840s and 50s. Its stable of artists included John Leech, Richard Doyle, John Tenniel and Charles Keene. Known as "The Punch Brotherhood," they also illustrated Charles Dickens who joined Bradbury and Evans in 1843.
Price: $85.00