The Comic Almanack for 1839 with twelve illustrations of the months by George Cruikshank, published by Tilt, London 1839. In stiff boards size 17 by 11 cm., the front board illustrated with Cruikshank's version of the signs of the zodiac. Original cloth spine. 'An ephemeris in jest and earnest containing "all things fitting for such a work". ' 64 pages plus another 32 pages of publisher's advertising. There are 12 full-page engravings by Cruikshank and several of the months also have smaller pieces -vignettes or sketches that relate to topical events and landmarks in the year. This edition of the Almanack has a poem on the abolition of negro slavery in 1834 and the abolition of Negro apprenticeship in 1838 illustrated with a cartoon based on chess that has the title Black Moves and Wins. One of the 12 larger engravings is a cartoon on the subject of the new Post Office delivery and another celebrates the withdrawal of a Copyright Bill with the caption How to Screw an Author. Includes a section that resembles a traditional almanac with information on bank holidays, postal charges etc. Good to VG condition but with a weakness developing at the front hinge