Genre, Professions, Auctioneer, Auction, Art Sale, Dr. Syntax, Rowlandson

"Dr. Sytax At An Auction"

Aquatint by Thomas Rowlandson. Original hand coloring.
Dated 1820. Fine image. Light natural age toning..

11 x 19 cm (4.3 x 7.4")
William Combe (25 March 1742 – 19 June 1823) was a British miscellaneous writer. His early life was that of an adventurer; his later life was passed chiefly within the "rules" of the King's Bench Prison. He is most notable as the author of The Three Tours of Doctor Syntax, a comic poem, illustrated by artist Thomas Rowlandson's colour plates, that satirised William Gilpin. Combe also wrote a series of imaginary letters, supposed to have been written by the second, or "wicked" Lord Lyttelton. Of a similar kind were his letters between Swift and "Stella". He also wrote the letterpress for various illustrated books, and was a general hack. The second Tour was collected as an 1820 book, and the third tour as an 1821 book. Some reprint editions over the next several decades rendered Rowlandson's colour plates in black and white.