first edition
1824 · London
by ALKEN, Henry
London: E. and C. M'Lean, 1824. Lower right corners with some irregular losses, light soft creasing, some marginal spotting not affecting the images which are fresh and bright. Oblong broadsheets (15 1/4 x 11 1/8 inches; 387 x 282 mm). Seven hand-colored aquatints by and after Henry Alken, one sheet letterpress text at end; on wove paper without visible watermarks. Sewn in original printed drab wrappers; red cloth folding portfolio. Provenance: Herbert L. Carlebach (bookplate); Mary Crapo Hyde (bookplate). First edition of Alken's excellent graphic rendering of Shakespeare's "Seven Ages" modernized for his contemporary audience. The speech 'All the world's a Stage' from As You like It is quoted on the text leaf. Dixon 72; Tooley 47.
(Inventory #: 409956)