The "Comic History of Rome, from the founding of the city to the end of the commonwealth" was written by Gilbert Abbott à Beckett (1811 – 1856), an English humorist born in London and educated at Westminster School. Gilbert was an active journalist on The Times and The Morning Herald and contributed with series of light articles to The Illustrated London News that conducted in 1846 to The Almanack of the Month. He is perhaps best known as the author of Comic History of England and the Comic History of Rome.
(This edition -available on facsimilium collection- was printed by Bradbury, Evans and Co. -whitefriars, 11 Bouverie street-)
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| Romulus and Remus |
This edition was illustrated (10 steel engravings and 100-odd wood engravings) by John Leech, and indefatigable worker, true humorist and student of human life. I found a complete collection of drawings from Mr Leech on wikimedia commons, regarding a different edition of this "Comic history of Rome", and posted some below (average resolution is good, with full res option 1,997 × 3,403 pxls). Mr Leech also supplied illustrations for a number of magazines and books, most notably the plates in 'A Christmas Carol' by Dickens.
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| The Mother of the Gracchi |
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| Terrific Combat between Titus Manlius and a Gaul of gigantic Stature |
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| Tarquinius Superbus makes himself King. |
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| Appius Claudius punished by the People. |
Some related external links:
- The John Leech Sketch archives from Punch, surprising collection of sketches (more than 600) issued from year 1841 to 1864. 1st click on "enter the archive" then navigate to "year index", most prolific year was 1851 with a total of 96 sketches, ordered by title. I was surprised about this website, no official logo, no reference to webmaster... ¿?
