Dore's London: A Pilgrimage by Gustave Doré and Blanchard Jerrold

Norwalk, CT: Easton Press, 2011. Hardcover. Fine. Hardcover. Number 339 of 400 copies of this deluxe limited edition from the press. It is a facsimile of the original edition published in 1872 by Grant & Co. in London. This reproduction includes all 180 original illustrations by Doré. It was originally published in 13 parts, with 191 pages and illustrations, and then serialized in Harper's Weekly. It has been described as a populist picture book. Doré's 1866 illustrations for the Bible had been a success, and a Dore Gallery had opened on Bond Street. In 1868, Jerrold proposed the work as a portrait of London, inspired by Thomas Rowlandson's Microcosm (truncated) of London, and work began in 1869. Doré was commissioned to create the illustrations by the publisher Grant and Company, receiving an advance of £10,000 for each of the four projected years of work. His contract required the Paris-based artist to visit London for 3 months each year, and make 250 drawings. The author and artist spent days touring the city together, often accompanied by plain clothes policemen. Jerrold led his friend Doré through the "shadows and sunlight of the great world of London/" The book focused on the deprivation and squalor of the poorest residents of London. It has been considered an early work of social journalism, documenting the high and low society of Victorian London in the mid to late 19th century [Wikipedia].

Bound by BindTech of Nashville in brown cowhide leather imported from Italy. With gilt titling and ornament to cover and spine. Marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. Printed on archival quality paper especially milled by Glatfelter Paper in Pennsylvania. Lithography by Falcon Press of Nashville. Housed in a red cloth slipcase also made by BindTech. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. In fine condition. Measures 11.75 x 14.5 inches. 191 pages. PRI/012624. (Inventory #: 37074)