The first edition of the Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi, edited by Charles Dickens (under the pseudonym 'Boz') with introductory and concluding chapters by the author, and illustrations by the noted caricaturist George Cruikshank (1792-1878).

Grimaldi (d.1837), a comic actor and pantomimist, regularly performed at the Sadler's Wells theatre, and counted Lord Byron among his patrons. He is best-known today for first donning the white face paint and garish costume archetypal of the modern clown.

First edition, first impression; 2 volumes; 8vo (20 x 13 8 x 5 in); armorial bookplate to front pastedown of each vol., numerous illustrations by George Cruickshank, with ads. to end of vol. I; early half morocco, green cloth boards, gilt spine with raised bands, top edge gilt, spine faded, very minor areas of wear to extremities, original pink cloth and spine bound in; xix, [3], 263, [1], 36; xix, [3], 288pp, a very good set.