the first appearance of the famous doctor syntax

Containing some of Thomas Rowlandson's best-known images.

Abbey states that the magazine was probably started by Ackermann as a receptacle for the overflow of poetical effusions sent for publication in the Repository of Arts, whose fourth number gives the first prospectus of this venture. It is chiefly remarkable as the first appearance of the famous Doctor Syntax, who, under the title of The Schoolmaster's Tour, ran through the whole of the publication, to be reprinted in volume form under the title of Doctor Syntax in Search of the Picturesque.

First Edition. 4 volumes, 8vo, 4 stipple-engraved vignette titles, 52 aquatint plates (all but 2 hand-coloured), including the 28 for the Schoolmaster's Tour and others after Rowlandson, some trimmed close with minor occasional loss to imprint, overall internally very good, bookplate to front pastedown, late 19th century blue half morocco by Root & Son, gilt spine compartments within gilt-tooled raised bands, gilt edges, spines lightly dulled, some minor rubbing to joints and corner-tips.

Abbey, Life 214; Tooley 421