Little Momus or Budget of Blunders. London, J Bysh, circa 1840

DESCRIPTION: pagination; 288, engraved frontispiece 'Cooke the Actor at Manchester' engraved by Roberts after Cruikshank [no initials given], title page engraved with central vignette image of 'Black Billy' also signed 'Cruikshank', bound in original limp flush fold over roan morocco titled 'Little Momus' in gilt to the spine.

FIRST EDITION, an extremely rare miniature, with the drop title 'The Little Humorist' to page one, one of a series of similar miniature publications published by Bysh in
London in the 1830's and 1840's all extremely rare. This complete example in original state in one of the most interesting, with an image of the street entertainer 'Black Billy' on the title page drawn by one of the Cruikshanks, who depicts one-legged playing a violin.

Billy Walters, American born and ex Royal Navy had lost a leg at sea, becoming a popular street entertainer on the pavement outside the Adelphi Theatre in London. 'Waters played for dancing, without accompaniment, and – since he needed to grab attention
and be heard above street-cries and noise – his voice would be loud and penetrating, his bowing was probably rhythmic and vigorous, his touch well-accented and syncopated, his tone droning and scratchy.'. The illustration here derives from a Cruikshank visit
to the theatre described and illustrated in Egan's Life in London, though this particular little vignette is one of the lesser known depictions. World Cat gives 2 locations including the BL.

SIZE: 16mo [Size: 42 x 63mm] approx

CONDITION: A little rubbed but quite sound, the front free endpaper removed, title and frontispiece a little foxed and soiled, minor corner wear, but generally a very sound clean copy.

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