Rowlandson (Thomas) [Twelfth Night Characters], the set of 24 hand-coloured etchings, each titled at head and with 4-line verse below, no imprint, cut and mounted on blank leaves, paper guards, light offsetting to guards, bookplate of William Crampton, attractively-bound in later red morocco, elaborately gilt, by Rivière, spine gilt in compartments, g.e., inner gilt dentelles, very slight rubbing to joints, [Bobins 891], 12mo, [1811].

⁂ Charming and very rare set of cards, nothing to do with Shakespeare, but for Regency era party-goers to use in games at Twelfth Night, held on 6th January to mark Epiphany or the end of the Christmas holiday season. Cakes were baked, a couple including a bean or a pea to select who should act as King and Queen for the night's festivities. The cards depict a series of characters including the King, Queen, Lady Lydia Blaze, Miss Busy, Lady Careless, Capn. Dash, Lord & Lady Flutter, Miss Gadabout, Mr Nimble, Lord Zealous & others, to be sent to or picked by guests to determine costumes, characters for acting games etc.