Undated but likely to be early 19th century. John Duncombe the publisher died in 1853. This is the 'First Collection - the second edition with corrections'  -  it is a book of comic songs and recitations.  Given the nature of the publication with only paper covers it is likely that few have survived. It has the original paper covers which are still sewn to the pages.  The book talks of Mr Mathews (among some other performers of the time), who is likely to be Charles Mathews (1776 - 1835) an English theatre manager and comic actor. He was well known for his gift of impersonation and table entertainment. The line drawing at the front is labelled as Mr Mathews. The character of Mr Jingle in The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens is supposed to have been inspired by Charles Mathews.  The front and back covers are dog-eared and there is a slightly faded strip vertically in the middle of the front where it has probably been folded. There are 2 small closed tears on the spine part of an i