[COMBE, William, attributed]; ROWLANDSON, Thomas (Illustrates)

[Hand-Colored] The Grand Master or Adventures of Qui Hi? in Hindostan. A Hudibrastic Poem in Eight Cantos by Quiz

London: Printed by Thomas Tegg, No. 111, Cheapside, 1816. First Edition of this ferocious satire of British colonial rule in India. Royal 8vo (244 x 150mm): iii-x,252pp, with folding frontispiece, illustrated title, and 25 full-page plates (all tissue-guarded hand-colored aquatints) and one sepia engraving. C8 (pp. 31-32) is a cancel ("frequently missing," according to Tooley), with p. 30 text reproduced on p. 32; pp. 73-74 folios repeated but no duplication of text. Wanting the errata slip (as often). Slightly later polished calf, covers framed in gilt, gilt dentelles, spine richly gilt in six compartments divided by raised bands, two red morocco lettering pieces gilt; top edge gilt, others untrimmed, French blue end papers. Tall wide-margined copy, securely bound (perhaps rebacked) and clean throughout with good impressions of the plates. Franklin, pp 68-71. Grolier (Rowlandson) 34. Tooley 412. Abbey (Travel) 437. Hardie, pp. 171, 317. Item #BB1356

Sometimes ascribed to William Combe, though Hamilton (Doctor Syntax: A Silhouette of William Combe) lists it as an imitation. Political satire directed against Lord Moira, Marquis of Hastings, who at the time was Governor General of Bengal and commander-in-chief of British forces in India; against the East India Company, for its Hindu prejudices, and against the church's patent disregard for Indian culture. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Price: $1,099.00