The Tour of Doctor Syntax, In Search of the Picturesque: A Poem, William Combe

£30.00

The Tour of Doctor Syntax, In Search of the Picturesque: A Poem, William Combe

Name: The Tour of Doctor Syntax, In Search of the Picturesque: A Poem, William Combe
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 3443-?-VG-
Price: 30.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: Halifax, Milner and Sowerby, 1862

Formatting: 32mo, pp. [N/A].

Condition Report: Very Good. The original red cloth binding remains remarkably sound and square for a miniature provincial edition of this era. The boards exhibit some expected minor rubbing, with slight softening to the spine caps and gently bumped corners. The blind-stamped floral and foliate borders are nicely preserved, while the gilt pictorial vignette of Doctor Syntax on the upper board retains a pleasing brightness. The gilt titling to the spine has darkened slightly but remains entirely legible. The all-edges-gilt (a.e.g.) text block shows age-appropriate tarnishing. Internally, the pale yellow endpapers are intact without any major splitting at the hinges, and the binding is tight and firm. The pages are notably clean and bright, showing only faint, occasional age-toning, making this a handsome and well-preserved copy.

Catalogue Note: This is a charming mid-Victorian miniature edition of William Combe’s famous satirical poem, published by Milner and Sowerby in 1862. Halifax printers, particularly Milner and his successors, were renowned for producing affordable, pocket-sized (often 32mo or 16mo) reprints of popular works for a mass 19th-century audience, commonly referred to as the 'Cottage Library' format.

Originally published in 1812 and famously brought to life by Thomas Rowlandson’s illustrations, Doctor Syntax follows the quixotic misadventures of a pedantic clergyman. While this edition is unillustrated beyond the striking gilt vignette on the front board, which playfully depicts the good doctor reading whilst mounted on horseback, it stands as a lovely example of Victorian provincial publishing. Given their small, portable nature, preserving these miniature cloth bindings in such solid, collectable condition is increasingly uncommon on the open market.

Follow the hilarious and disastrous escapades of the eccentric clergyman Doctor Syntax as he sets out on horseback to make his fortune by publishing a grand tour of the "Picturesque." Written in lively octosyllabic verse by William Combe, this biting satire pokes fun at the late-18th-century obsession with romanticised travel and the high-minded aesthetic theorists who popularised it. A classic of British comic literature, Doctor Syntax remains a beloved caricature of the bumbling, well-meaning scholar who finds himself thoroughly out of his depth in the real world.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: William Combe

Book Publisher: Milner & Sowerby

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Antiquarian 19th Century

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 256

Book Publication Year: 1862

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover (Cloth)

Illustrator:

Book Series:

Country/region of manufacture: Halifax, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.