LEAR EDWARD: (1812-1888) English Artist, Illustrator and Poet. A set of 8vo hardback editions of The Arabian Nights' Entertainments: Consisting of One Thousand and One Stories, published by Smith, Elder & Co., Cornhill, London, 1835, Volumes I - IV, bound in the original publisher's cloth and with black morocco gilt lettered titles attached to the spines, lacking the 'numerous plates' of illustrations referred to on the title page (although apparently never originally bound in). Each of the four volumes bear the ownership signature of Lear ('Edward Lear, from R. J. Wyatt') and place and date, Sanremo, Rome, 1843, in his hand, to the head of each title page. Some overall age wear, largely affecting the spines and with loose front boards. FR to about G, 4 €500-750

Richard James Wyatt (1795-1850) English Sculptor who studied in Rome as a pupil of Canova, later settling in the Italian city permanently. It is evidently at this time that Wyatt would have presented Lear with the present books.