Gilbert, W.S.

i) The "Bab" Ballads. London: John Camden Hotten, 1869, FIRST EDITION, 4pp. publisher's advertisements at end, contemporary ownership signature on title-page; ii) More "Bab" Ballads. London: George Routledge and Sons, [1873], FIRST EDITION, 4pp. publisher's advertisements at end, imprint of a small fern leaf between seventh and eighth leaf of fourth gathering; both small 4to (185 x 132mm.), illustrations by the author, original green cloth with bevelled edges lettered and with designs in gilt, gilt edges, collector's green morocco-backed folding box, bindings lightly soiled with extremities slightly worn, hinges split (2)

Searle 16; 41

Uncommon in the original cloth. Writing in 1931, Townley Searle noted "There can be no doubt that Gilbert had to thank Sullivan for his first success... Sullivan had already been accepted as a correct and serious person by the time he met Gilbert. The Bab Ballads were considered rather 'low class', and as the author had no more serious work to his credit he was doubtless glad to avail himself of the prestige which his first association with Sullivan conferred. Seventy years have passed, and the Bab Ballads live, and Gilbert's reputation rests largely on these Ballads, which have now run through so many editions..."