(4) titles, (4) volumes, all 8vo, three-quarter blue morocco over blue cloth-covered boards, gilt-stamped spine with raised bands, with marbled endpapers and top edge gilt, to include:

[William Combe; Thomas Rowlandson, illus.]. THE TOUR OF DOCTOR SYNTAX, IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE; A POEM. London: R. Ackermann's Repository of Arts, [1813]. Stated fifth edition with new plates. 8vo; [2], iii, [1], 276, [1]pp. With Advertisements and Directions to the Binder; frontispiece, title page with vignette, and (29) additional hand-colored plates by Rowlandson. Tooley 427.

[William Combe; Thomas Rowlandson, illus.]. THE SECOND TOUR OF DOCTOR SYNTAX, IN SEARCH OF CONSOLATION; A POEM. London: R. Ackermann, [1820]. Stated third edition. 8vo; [6], 277pp. With advertisement, Intro., and Directions to the Binder; frontispiece and (23) additional hand-colored plates by Rowlandson. Tooley 428.

[William Combe; Thomas Rowlandson, illus.]. THE THIRD TOUR OF DOCTOR SYNTAX, IN SEARCH OF A WIFE, A POEM. London: R. Ackermann's Repository of Arts, [1821]. First edition. 8vo; [6], 279pp. With preface, Directions to the Binder; frontispiece, title page with vignette, and (23) additional hand-colored plates by Rowlandson. Tooley 429.

[In imitation of William Combe; Thomas Rowlandson or I. R. Cruikshank, illus.]. THE TOUR OF DOCTOR SYNTAX THROUGH LONDON, OR THE PLEASURES AND MISERIES OF THE METROPOLIS. A POEM. London: J. Johnston, [1820]. Stated third edition. 8vo; [6], 319pp. With preface and list of plates; frontispiece, title page with vignette, plus (18) additional hand-colored plates. Tooley 434.

9 1/8 x 6 in. each

Private Collection, Greensboro, North Carolina

William Combe's Doctor Syntax made his first appearance in Rudolph Ackermann's Poetical Magazine in 1809, with the Tours of Doctor Syntax first published in book form in three volumes in 1812, 1820, and 1821, respectively. They tell the story, in verse, of a traveling schoolmaster, and they were created as a satire of William Gilpin's travel writing and the idea of the picturesque. Their popularity led to numerous imitations of Combe's work. The original three books famously featured collaboration with Thomas Rowlandson, a caricaturist and printmaker, with the illustrator of Through London debated.

Well-bound volumes in very good condition; boards with light edgewear, occasional light scuff or scratch, corners rubbed, spines lightly sunned with occasional small chip at head and tail; all with light toning, offsetting, occasional small stain, area of residue, or repair, and scattered grime and light foxing (slightly heavier in Through London); first volume lacking (2) tissue guards, one guard with 1 1/2-in tear, one with small hole, and one reattached at facing page, (2) leaves with tear at inner margin, small tear in plate 29, and (2) leaves with larger area of repairs; second volume with small tear to title page, occasional larger areas of staining, some plates with heavier toning, (3) plates and (2) leaves with larger areas of repair; third volume with previous owner's name on recto of frontispiece, several pages with larger areas of staining, occasional edge fraying, chipping, or closed tear, several plates with tiny holes, one leaf with 1-in tear, one plate and one leaf with larger repair; final volume with one leaf with 3/4-in. tear.