Scenes and Characters of the English XVIIIth Century, all, with the exception of one or two Portraits, Original

1906. Quarter Leather. Very Good Plus. A complete manuscript book containing 34 pen and sepia wash pictures, each captioned on the facing leaf by the hand of Colwyn Edward Vulliamy (1886 - 1971). Vulliamy was a Welsh biographer and historian. Educated privately, he studied art under Stanhope Forbes. In World War One he served in France, Macedonia and Turkey. Post-war, in addition to biography, he produced several mysteries and dabbled in humor writing. This album beautifully combines his affinity for history and humor, and one could only wish he had devoted more of his later energies to such caricature. The subject matter is of some historic remove from Vulliamy, but surely the album reflects the surge of interest in the eighteenth century that occurred at the turn of the twentieth century. Here one will find both a wistful and jaundiced look back -- Vulliamy doesn't look away from the seedy and ugly aspects of Georgian England. His style and wash media are true to the period, and but for the paper stock and the binding, one could be easily deceived into thinking the artwork was in fact contemporary with the period depicted. The front endpaper is signed and dated by the author, and he again initials and dates the closing illustrated leaf. Quarter leather over pebbled cloth binding, measuring 9.5 by 13.5 cm, or 5.25 by 3.75 inches. Some spotting on the black cloth. Otherwise, quite fresh and clean.