"SOME FIND THEIR DEATH BY SWORD & BULLET; AND SOME BY FLUIDS DOWN THE GULLET"

COMBE, William. The English Dance of Death, from the Designs of Thomas Rowlandson, with Metrical Illustrations, by the Author of "Doctor Syntax." London: Methuen, 1903. Two volumes. Small octavo, contemporary full red straight-grain calf gilt, navy and black morocco spine labels, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. $950.

Later edition of these verses satirically updating the medieval danse macabre motif, profusely illustrated with 72 color plates of Thomas Rowlandson's original designs, very handsomely bound by Bayntun.

Combe first collaborated with Rowlandson on Combe's "Doctor Syntax'': he would "pin up the sketch against a screen of his apartment in the King's Bench and write off his verses as the printer wanted them…The success of Dr. Syntax led to further collaboration between Combe and Rowlandson in the `Dance of Death' and `Dance of Life.' The `Dance of Death' contains some of Combe's best verse'' (DNB). First published in 1815.

A fine copy.