HAMILTON, Edwin. The Moderate Man and Other Verses. Illustrated by Harry Furniss (Inscribed by the Author)

London: Ward and Downey, Publishers, 1888. First Edition. Small quarto. pp. 107. Publisher’s original pictorial dark teal cloth, upper cover and spine elaborately lettered and decorated in gilt with comic vignette illustration to upper board, rear cover with blind-stamped monogram deviceA very good copy overall. Binding bright and attractive with some fading and mottling to rear board, light rubbing to extremities, and minor wear to corners and spine ends. Internally clean and fresh with occasional light spotting and handling marks only. Inscription clear and legible. A handsome example of a decorative Victorian illustrated gift book in original cloth.

This copy bears a contemporary presentation inscription from the author dated June 1888:

“Katharine Lynan with kindest regards and sincere admiration from Edwin Hamilton.”

Frontispiece illustration and numerous humorous black-and-white illustrations throughout by the celebrated Victorian caricaturist Harry Furniss. A charming and increasingly scarce late Victorian illustrated volume of humorous and satirical verse by Edwin Hamilton, author of Dublin Doggerel. The collection includes a variety of comic and theatrical pieces including “The Moderate Man,” “The Pirate,” “The Conscientious M.P.,” and the Irish-themed poem “Bessie,” set in Limerick. Furniss’s lively illustrations greatly enhance the text, displaying the energetic line work and comic exaggeration for which he became internationally renowned through his contributions to Punch. While the recipient does not appear to be the noted Irish literary figure Katharine Tynan, the inscription nevertheless adds an appealing personal element and firmly dates the volume to the year of publication.

Harry Furniss (1854–1925) was among the most important caricaturists and illustrators of the Victorian era, contributing extensively to Punch magazine and illustrating works by Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll, and many leading writers of the period. Victorian pictorial cloth bindings of this quality have become increasingly sought after for both their artistic merit and decorative appeal.

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