{"product_id":"the-comic-history-of-england-1864-2-delige-victoriaanse-set-met-gekleurde-etsen-john-leech-antiek","title":"The Comic History of England (1864) – Complete (2) Victorian Set with Hand-Colored Etchings by John Leech","description":"\u003ca href=\"\/en-do\/collections\/frontpage\" style=\"text-decoration: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"background-color: #5a1414; border-left: 4px solid #d6c3a3; padding: 12px 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; color: #f5f1e8; border-radius: 6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color: #ffffff;\"\u003eZiggy's Collection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"226\" data-end=\"272\"\u003eA Victorian satire in leather, gold, and color\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"274\" data-end=\"785\"\u003eThis two-volume edition of \u003cem data-start=\"302\" data-end=\"332\"\u003eThe Comic History of England\u003c\/em\u003e, published in 1864 by the Punch Office, 85 Fleet Street, London, is a magnificent example of Victorian book culture at its best. Written by Gilbert Abbott A’Beckett — a regular contributor to the satirical magazine \u003cem data-start=\"565\" data-end=\"572\"\u003ePunch\u003c\/em\u003e — the work tells English history not solemnly, but with irony, wit, and humor. It is a mirror of a self-aware Victorian England that dared to view its own past with a wink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"787\" data-end=\"1292\"\u003eThe true strength of this edition lies in the illustrations by John Leech (1817–1864), one of the most important British illustrators of the 19th century and a co-architect of the modern political cartoon. The edition contains twenty hand-colored etchings and over two hundred wood engravings. The colors remain bright and vivid, with no notable fading. The original tissue guards are intact — an important detail, as these are missing or damaged in many copies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1294\" data-end=\"1751\"\u003eThe binding enhances the set. Both volumes are bound in half-leather with raised bands and gilt titles. The gilt edges have been remarkably well-preserved: warm in tone, even, and lustrous. The leather shows a natural patina with light craquelure and subtle wear to the corners — fitting for its age and aesthetically quite attractive. No severe damage, no intrusive restorations; just the gentle marks of 160 years of history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1753\" data-end=\"1878\"\u003eThe interior and binding are firm; the paper is clean with minimal signs of age. The set radiates care and respect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1880\" data-end=\"2257\"\u003eThe combination of the original 1864 edition, complete two-volume set, hand-colored plates, intact tissue guards, and attractive half-leather binding makes this a highly collectible and decorative object. Similar sets typically trade in the higher antiquarian segment, depending on condition and execution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2259\" data-end=\"2531\"\u003eWith a height of 22 cm and just under 3 cm in thickness per volume, the books have exactly those classic proportions that are impressive both in the hand and on a shelf. The warm leather, gilt edges, and marbling give them a quiet, stately appearance — without being heavy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ziggy's Warehouse","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53056705266003,"sku":"AI0607001","price":34900.0,"currency_code":"DOP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0412\/2451\/files\/IMG_3077.jpg?v=1771373841","url":"https:\/\/ziggyswarehouse.com\/en-do\/products\/the-comic-history-of-england-1864-2-delige-victoriaanse-set-met-gekleurde-etsen-john-leech-antiek","provider":"Ziggy's Warehouse","version":"1.0","type":"link"}