Poetical Rhapsodies

London: William Sams, 1818. To pensive minds, superior truths belong"
With a Fine Engraved Frontispiece by George Cruikshank

CRUIKSHANK, George, illustrator. FISHER, J.B. Poetical Rhapsodies. London, printed for the Author, and published by William Sams, 1818.

First edition. Crown octavo (6 5/8 x 4 inches; 168 x 101 mm.). [iii-v], vi-vii, [viii-xvi], [1]-144 pp. Engraved frontispiece "Fidelity" engraved by A. Smith after George Cruikshank. Bound without the half-title. Frontispiece offset onto title-page, 'contents' leaf re-inserted on a stub, a few light marginal stains otherwise an excellent example.

Contemporary quarter dark green scored calf over drab boards, smooth spine. Chemised in a quarter dark green morocco over green cloth boards slipcase, spine with five raised bands decoratively tooled and lettered in gilt in compartments gilt lettering on spine a little dull. Front joint cracked but sound. An excellent copy.

We have been unable to find any biographical information on J.B. Fisher. He describes himself in this work as a 'comedian', and is known to have published plays, poems, and a novel.

(Cohn, 318).