The Adventures of Doctor Comicus, or The Frolicks of Fortune, by A Modern Syntax

This First Edition copy of The Adventures of Doctor Comicus, or The Frolicks of Fortune - A Comic Satirical Poem for the Squeamish & The Queen, in Twelve Cantos, by a Modern Syntax was published in London by Jaques & Wright of Paternaster Row and printed by J. McGowan and Son for B. Blake of No. 15, Bell Yard, Temple Bar. The date of publication is uncertain, but believed to be between 1815 and 1828. The word Frolicks in the title page is often spelled Frolics elsewhere. The author and illustrator are both unknown. Since this book is accepted as the first of many imitations of the William Combe and Thomas Rowlandson's Dr. Syntax trilogy, these gentlemen are often identified as this book's author and illustrator. That supposition is unproven, but it is clear that the book's declaration of A Modern Syntax as the author is a play on words on the Dr. Syntax of the earlier published William Combe's works.

The book, which measures approximately 5 ½ inches wide by 8 ¾ inches tall by 7/8 inch thick, contains 269 numbered pages of text plus 15 colored engraved plates, including a frontispiece and extra-title page and thirteen additional colored plates distributed throughout the book. The book is hard bound in full calf covered boards with gilt printing and decoration on the spine. The pages of the book are very lightly tanned and are gilt-edged. The cover has some minor signs of wear, particularly at the outer corners and the top and bottom of the spine. The overall condition of the book is very good.

The illustrations accompanying this description show the Title page, the book's covers, a 2-page spread containing the Frontispiece and Extra-Title page, and two 2-page spreads of text and colored plates.