The Bab Ballads: With Which are Included Songs of a Savoyard
London: Macmillan & Co., 1914. With 350 Illustrations by the Author. Sixth Edition, Reprint. Octavo, xii, 564 pages, finely bound in full brown leather by Morrell for John Wanamaker, with gilt-ruled boards, raised bands and gilt lettering and decoration to spine, gilt decoration to board edges, elaborate gilt inner dentelles, and all edges gilt. Binder’s stamp reads “Bound by Morrell for John Wanamaker.” Illustrated throughout in black-and-white. A handsome edition of W. S. Gilbert’s celebrated *Bab Ballads*, here collected with *Songs of a Savoyard* and illustrated throughout with 350 of Gilbert’s own characteristically comic drawings. Originally appearing in periodicals and separately published collections, the *Bab Ballads* established Gilbert’s distinctive “topsy-turvy” humor, in which absurd situations are pursued with impeccable logic and deadpan seriousness. Many of the themes, characters, and satirical devices developed in these verses anticipated Gilbert’s later collaborations with Arthur Sullivan and the comic operas for which the pair became famous. The accompanying *Songs of a Savoyard* gathers lyrics associated with the Savoy operas, including material from such enduring works as *The Pirates of Penzance*, *H.M.S. Pinafore*, *The Mikado*, and *The Gondoliers*. An important collection of Victorian humorous verse and a particularly attractive volume for collectors of Gilbert and Sullivan, English comic poetry, illustrated books, and fine bindings. Front hinge cracked and hanging on by a thread, rear hinge tender, rubbing along corners and edges, previous owner's inscription, else in good + condition. Item #600
Price: $300.00