Richard Doyle; W Allingham — In Fairyland

London, Longmans, Green, Reader and Dyer, 1870. First edition. Cloth. A lovely first edition copy of this charmingly illustrated, famous work by Richard Doyle. 'In Fairyland' comprises of sixteen coloured plates depicting fairy scenes by prolific Victorian illustrator, Richard Doyle. Accompanying the plates is a poem by William Allingham. First Edition. Published in 1869, yet volumes were post-dated 1870, (COPAC). Richard Doyle, the uncle of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, was a popular Victorian illustrator. Training under his father, the political cartoonist John Doyle, the young Richard Doyle would join the famous 'Punch' magazine aged 19. Entrusted with designing the masthead for the magazine, his design would feature on the cover of 'Punch' for almost a century.Though a prolific illustrator, he was know for being incredibly unreliable, once nearly loosing a commission to illustrate Thackeray's 'The Newcomes', due to consistent tardiness. This contributed to his limited successes during his lifetime. 'In Fairyland' is widely considered his finest work. Showcasing the depth of Doyle's talents and imagination, this work paints a charming picture of the magical 'elf-land', sure to capture the imagination of adults and children alike. Bound by Edmund and Remnants, London. A smart copy of this work. Collated, complete. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, very smart. Minor splits to the joints and to the extremities. A few light marks to the boards. White mark to the front board. Prior owner's gift inscription to the recto of front endpaper, which has been partially erased. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright with just the odd light spot. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Richard Doyle. Very Good Indeed .