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Gilbert, W[illiam]. S[chwenck]. THE "BAB" BALLADS. Much Sound and Little Sense. With Illustrations by the Author. London: John Camden Hotten, 1869. 4 pp undated (Hotten) ads. Original decorated green cloth, beveled, all edges gilt.
First Edition of this collection of "clever verses which, in the name of good fun, discoursed amiably on violence and crime" [K&H]. Included are Gilbert's whimsical illustrations (in his Preface he says, "I have ventured to publish the illustrations with them because, while they are certainly quite as bad as the Ballads, I suppose they are not much worse"). It was not until the following decade that Gilbert began collaborating with Arthur Sullivan on the series of operettas for which they are today remembered.
This copy is from the first issue, with Hotten ads at the rear and in the binding with Gilbert's facsimile signature on front cover and spine (not matching the design of MORE BAB BALLADS, published in late-1872). It is a very good, brighter-than-usual copy (very slight shelfwear at the extremities, some cracking of the endpapers) of a volume quite difficult to find in decent condition. Searle 16.
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