(London: Richard Bentley, 1838).

FIRST EDITION. A unique copy with two very fine watercolurs added to the end of Volume II and with the original cloth covers and spine panels bound in.
Joseph Grimaldi (18 December 1778 – 31 May 1837)[1] was an English actor, comedian and dancer, who became the most popular English entertainer of the Regency era. In the early 19th century, he expanded the role of Clown in the harlequinade that formed part of British pantomimes, notably at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and the Sadler's Wells and Covent Garden theatres. He became so dominant on the London comic stage that the harlequinade role of Clown became known as "Joey", and both the nickname and Grimaldi's whiteface make-up design were, and still are, used by other types of clowns. Grimaldi originated catchphrases such as "Here we are again!", which continue to feature in modern pantomimes.
After Grimaldi's death, Charles Dickens was invited by Richard Bentley to edit and improve Thomas Egerton Wilks's clumsily written life of Grimaldi, which had been based on the clown's own notes, which Dickens did under his regular nom de plume, "Boz". As a child, Dickens saw Grimaldi perform at the Star Theatre, Rochester, in 1820. The Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi, illustrated by George Cruikshank, sold well. Item #30435

2 volumes. First edition, first issue, first state without the "grotesque" border added at Vol. II p. 238. 13 illustrations by George Cruikshank. In addition and extra are two very finely executed unsigned watercolours at the end of Volume II. 8vo, very handsomely bound and signed Bartlett in full red calf, the spines beautifully decorated with ornate gilt tooled panels within compartments between raised bands, the covers ruled at the borders with double gilt-fillet lines and corner tools. Marbled endpapers and gilt tooled turn-ins. Original cloth covers bound in at the end of each volume. xix, 288; ix, 263, 2 watercolours on two leaves, 36 ads. pp. A fine and very handsome copy with some very minor evidence of age.