The Book of Wonderful Characters c1870

A highly compelling and scarce book comprising biographies of remarkable people compiled by Henry Wilson and James Caulfield.
A first edition of this scarce work.
An ode to individuality, this book groups together people that were seen as remarkable, from Francis Battalia, the stone eater, to The Chevalier d'Eon, a man who passed as a woman (illustrated to the front board), from Thomas Parr who died at 152, to Eve Fleigen who lived on the smell of flowers, and plenty others who stood out worldwide.

An extremely engaging selection of biographies of remarkable people of the time, written by Henry Wilson and James Caulfield. James Caulfield spent much of his career as a printmaker publishing illustrated books about remarkable people, and began his first series in about 1790. This collection was first published almost forty years after his death, in collaboration with Henry Wilson. Profusely illustrated with hand coloured frontispiece and various portraits in black and white throughout. Collating complete with sixty one full page engravings. In the original publisher's cloth binding, with illustration in gilt to the front board and titles in gilt to spine. Externally worn with shelfwear and bumping to the head and tail of the spine and extremities. The cloth to the spine is faded. Internally, binding is tender with the cords showing and a slightly loose title page.
Profusely illustrated with hand coloured frontispiece and various portraits in black and white throughout.
See all photos for spotting, age-related wear and general condition.
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