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[Trusler, John].
Proverbs in Verse, or Moral Instruction Conveyed in Pictures, for the Use of Schools: On the plan of Hogarth moralized by the Same Author.
Publisher: I. Souter, London;
Date of Publication: 1815
Stock Code: 9586
Octavo in half sheets, pp. 122 [6], including two leaves of ads at end. With 56 square woodcuts including that to title-page (some signed J. B.) plus 38 tail-pieces by John Bewick. Bound in later scarlet half calf and scarlet cloth over boards; 4 gilt rolled raised spine bands; gilt lozenge ornaments to spine compartments; brown calf spine label with gilt spine title; top edge gilt. Lightly rubbed and sunned to spine and top edge. Very light scattered foxing.
An early edition of this work, with all editions being scarce. Proverbs in poetical form with accompanying illustrations by John Bewick, designed to appeal to children. John Bewick was the brother of the celebrated naturalist and engraver Thomas, and he provided the artwork for several of Trusler’s publications over a lengthy period in the late eighteenth century. “Proverbs in Verse” was a revised text of “Proverbs Exemplified” which was published by Trusler in 1790 and is one of the earliest known books of illustrated proverbs for children; the revised work still used the John Bewick illustrations and incorporates in addition five cuts borrowed from “The Progress of Man and Society”, a new proverb, and a new cut of the Good Samaritan (presumably produced for the original but unused) as well as an additional nine vignettes. By publication in 1817 John had died, and though he was named as the artist in the original publication, “Proverbs in Verse” was published without accreditation for his illustrations. £475.00