The Butterfly's Ball, and the Grasshopper's Feast. By Mr. Roscoe.
London: Harris, John, 1808. 32mo. (15)ff. Apparently an intermediate state unknown to Moon, which contains the sheets of the 6th edition (725.6), with wrappers dated 1808 with "A New and Improved Edition, with New Plates" on the upper cover, and ads listing four titles "just published", and only one "shortly will be published." Illustrated with fourteen engravings, two hand-colored, mostly depicting the anthropomorphized characters from the lyrical tale for children. Butterfly's Ball has inspired several other works, including a 1973 picture book by Alan Aldridge and William Plomer, an animated short, a rock opera, an orchestral composition, and a miniature book by Anne and David Bromer. Bound in buff printed paper wrappers, showing mild rubbing mainly to spine. Contemporary ownership inscription dated 1808 on inside front wrapper. Slight soiling to wrappers, else fine. Item #31557
Price: $1,150.00