Book of the Bench. Vellum-bound Legal Caricatures book.

$925.00

39 Vanity Fair law caricatures with wigged judges. The Book of the Bench with Thirty-nine reproductions in colour from paintings by "Spy" and other cartoonists. First Edition, 1909.
James Mackenzie Limited publishers 15A Paternoster Row, London, E.C. Printed by Henry Stone and Son Ltd., Banbury. 

 A grand presentation publication with vellum binding and gold embossed figure of Justice with scales and sword on front cover, and gilt title on cover and spine. As usual, the front board is slightly warped. Large vellum-covered board is susceptible to changes of atmosphere. Dust and humidity have also resulted in inevitable slight foxing throughout.

The 39 colour plates are in good condition, attached at the top of each to the page behind, and accompanied by pages with biographical and humorously descriptive information about these prominent figures of the legal profession. The most popular were the caricatures of wigged judges with their typical facial expressions and exaggerated mannerisms.

Colour-printed lithographs, reduced in size and more colourful than the original Vanity Fair caricatures, provide a wonderful book for anyone who can appreciate caricatures of the legal profession… 'wigs' who featured in Vanity Fair magazine in London between 1869 and 1914. Vanity Fair was a periodical of social commentary and one noteworthy character was parodied each week by eminent caricaturists – the most famous of whom was "Spy" (Leslie Ward).

Book size is approximately 280 x 340 x 40mm x  (11 x 13 x 1.3/4 inches).
Shipment cost varies by weight, destination and delivery requirements.
Please email sales@antiqueprintclub.com for total cost, before payment.

(Original antique legal caricature lithographs are available under Antique Prints>Portraits>Legal.
Classic legal portraits are available under Antique Prints>Professions.)