Description
Friswell, Hain, Editor, Blackwood’s Comic Zadkiel; An Almanac at once Prophetical, Quizzical and Physical, Ombrological and Symbolical, Astronomically Comical, and Comically Astronomical, for the Year 1855: A Work Devoted to All the “Ologies” Except Tautology, and Containing Full Prophecies upon Everything which Nobody Wishes to Know; and Truthfully Foretelling Every Future Event, from the Winner of the Derby to the Next Revolution in the Wheel of Time. London, James Blackwood, 1855 (Printed by Stewart and Murray, Old Bailey).
Fifteenth thousand. Fold-out hand-colored frontispiece (mounted on linen) by William McConnell, who did all the other illustrations. 8vo, 180 mm x 120 mm, 88 pages with 8 pages of James Blackwood’s advertisements for Christmas presents and illustrated books.
Cloth spine with gilt lettering: “Blackwood’s Comic Zadkiel 1855.” The advertisements show slight foxing, two leaves slightly trimmed when the original paper boards were laid down on stiff pasteboard and the linen spine added, original back cover shows old damp-staining prior to being laid down. The interior is fine. Of note is the illustration of two families, one black and one white socializing over the caption, “America Fifty Years Hence.” Printed during the Crimean War, this humorous almanac includes the “Nativity of Nicholas of Russia,” with the planets’ places at the time of the major events of his life, showing that he will soon be subject to “dis-czars-tars.” With the book plate of William Asheton Tonge, Gent. Staneclyffe Disley.
The racial stereotypes depicted in the language and images of this publication do not reflect the views, beliefs or opinions of the bookseller.
Almanach Théâtre du Vaudeville Le Petit Moissonneur des Théâtres à Paris 1826
Oxford Almanack 1755 Broadside Etched Headpiece by Samuel Wale
