SALAD FOR THE SOLITARY AND THE SOCIAL BY AN EPICURE. RE-DRESSED AND COMPOUNDED (In Root and Son Signed Binding) by Saunders, Frederick (Illustrated By Thomas Nast and others) - 1872

New York: New York: De Witt C. Lent and Company. 1872, 1872. Beautifully bound by Root and Son and identified as such with their name stamped on top turn-in. Very old dealer description tipped in at bottom of first blank endpaper describing this copy as Fine. In modern book collecting terms it is more properly described as very good, however, because there are a few blemishes to the contents, and there is some rub to the binding especially along the front joint. Still a handsome copy, quaintly illustrated on a number of topics of interest to the 19th century reader. A long chapter titled "The Mysteries Of Medicine" with an illustration at the head of this chapter showing a cat doctor adminstering to a cat patient with other strange creatures standing by at bedside. This illustration credited to Alfred Waud, who made his reputation doing battlefield illustrations during the Civil War. A very uncharacteristic but excellent drawing if it is indeed his, although it looks very much like a Grandville illustration. Four of the illustrations in this volume by Thomas Nast and very characteristic of his outstanding work. Two chapters on books and book collecting. Frontispiece engraving is silver tinted and is a fine example of the work of Fredericks. It shows an old time English scene with many fairy like creatures cavorting about the borders. Engraved title page is also by Fredericks, and it is followed by the printed title page. Spine with five raised bands and the compartments of the spine tastefully decorated in gilt. Title on spine in gilt is still bold. Date of 1872 in gilt at foot of spine. Covers gilt double ruled. Despite the wear along the front joint, the inner hinges are both solid. The spine leather with a handsome look. Just a small amount of rub at very top of spine. Small blemish to front cover which is of green cloth. Corner leather bumped and with wear. Original green ribbon marker still in book. Top edge gilt. Endpapers of a marbled design in green. . Half Leather (Signed binding). Very Good. Illus. by Thomas Mast, Alfred Fredericks, Alfred Waud and Others. Engraved By Bobbett and Matthews. Octavo, 526pp + Ad.