This fascinating work includes 148 (of 150) steel-engraved plates from the original pictures by William Hogarth. Hogarth was an English painter and printmaker whose work forged the cornerstone for English satirical art. Each plate is accompanied by an extensive description and explanation, and the plates are arranged into themes, such as Marriage-a-la-Mode, Industry and Idleness, The Election, The Rake's Progress, The Four Stages of Cruelty, and Hudibras. A biography of Hogarth and his self-portrait (as frontispiece) are also included. By Reverend John Trusler and E. F. Roberts, and published by the London Printing and Publishing Company. The engravings numbered 145-146, Crowns, Mitres, Maces, &c. and Spiller's Ticket, are missing from this example. Quarto, 200 pp., title page, and table of contents. Quarter leather with tips over brown cloth-covered boards, raised bands and gilt titling on spine, and marbled endpapers.

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Condition: B+

The condition grade is for the engravings, which are in very good to near fine condition, with minor toning and occasional chips along edges. Some plates and text pages are loose, and the overall binding is loose. The front cover shows moderate wear and stains, and the back cover has a large damp stain that fortunately does not permeate to the text.