Bound volume of 21 signed, pen & ink drawings

[London]: Unique, ca 1900. Full contemporary gilt stamped leather.. Very good. Some modest, occasional, offset. The binding exhibits wear - the joints are cracked and covers just holding; some chafing to the edges and backstrip. This was a well executed binding (gilt dentelles, raised bands etc.) and would benefit from a careful rebacking.. Oblong folio. An album of 21 original humorous pen & ink sketches (with some color heightening) meas. appx. 250 x 310 mm. that are spot mounted to heavy, gilt edged card stock and signed lower right (on the illus.). The mounts, all on linen hinges, measure 340 x 390 mm. Each mount has autograph lines of pencil verse. This is replicated in a fine, two color, calligraphic hand on the verso of each previous mount so that the original verse passage is facing it's paired drawing. Each of the drawings and verse express a wry, understated humorous vignette of Edwardian England. The bookplate of the author H H Harrod mounted on the front pastedown. Gilt stamped on the front cover lower left in large type: Mr. M W O'Brien / "RULES"

Lance Thackeray, artist and illustrator, died of illness in 1916 after having volunteered, at age 40, for the Artists Rifles - a volunteer light infantry regiment - during WWI. He seems to have been constantly employed for his illustration skills and "cartoons" on social life in Edwardian England. Celebrity, however, eluded him. What is known about his life is found in his biography by Askey. The drawings are charming moments presented in subdued renderings. An exceptional assemblage.