An Hieroglyphic Poetical Epistle [From A Gentleman To A Lady]; [Together With] The Answer An Hieroglyphic Poetical Epistle [From A Lady To A Gentleman]. Rebus Puzzle.

An attractive pairing of rhymed rebus letters, from a gentleman to a lady and her response. Rebus puzzles, with symbols used to replace whole or parts of words, were popular in the 18th and 19th centuries and were often used in satirical engravings. The letter from the gentleman opens, "Dear Lady, When lucid eyes like stars unclouded shone and women's charms like angels seem divine" and continues with similar exuberant praise; the lady sees through this and rebuts him: "I'm sharp enough your flattery to despise". The pair were first published in 1771 by W. Tringham, here printed by Laurie & Whittle from the same plates. The Laure & Whittle issue is also found on paper watermarked 1814; this copy bears no watermark. Not in Catalogue of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum. 2 broadside copper engravings with original hand-colouring on unwatermarked wove paper (plate mark 340 x 226 mm, sheet size 480 x 300 mm). Minor rippling at extremities with printed area unaffected, otherwise in excellent condition.