A book of nonsense.
Lear, Edward,1812-1888.
[London : Thos. McLean
1855?]
Probably an early proof or variant printing of the one-volume second edition of Lear's "Book of nonsense", published by Thomas McLean in 1855.
In this copy there are no imprint details - leaf [1], which was the title page in the original ed., here lacks title and imprint; the text of the limericks is in 5 lines, in lower case italics, as in the second edition.
In this copy the wrong text is under the two illustrations of 'There was an old man of the west', leaves [3] and [4] of this copy. Cf. H.M. Nixon (British Museum Quarterly, XXVIII, 1964, pp. 7-8).
Anonymous: by Edward Lear; cover title is "A book of nonsense by Derry Down Derry".
As well as being printed on five lines instead of three, there are also small differences in text and illustrations between this edition and the first of 1846. Cf. Vivien Noakes (Edward Lear 1812-1888, Royal Academy of Arts exhibition catalogue, 1985, pp. 168).
In original paper boards with linen back.
Limericks.