Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1 Complete. This omnibus edition takes all 24 of the issues from the first volume and adds an introduction and an index which is linked to the individual issues.

The introduction is very cool, it was written about 20 years after the fact and so explains a bit about the political situation at the time of the original publication — essential for getting some of the jokes.

Thanks to David Widger for his patience and assistance!

The remainder of Volume 1 of Punch, or the London Charivari has been posted as individual issues. Issue 1 was previously posted as part of the DP5k collection. Here are the links (and you really should check them out): Issue 2 Issue 3 Issue 4 Issue 5 Issue 6 Issue 7 Issue 8 Issue 9 Issue 10 Issue 11 Issue 12 Issue 13 Issue 14 Issue 15 Issue 16 Issue 17 Issue 18 Issue 19 Issue 20 Issue 21 Issue 22 Issue 23 Issue 24. Thanks to Bill for his support, and David Widger for his patience.

Punch, or the London Charivari, July 17, 1841. Volume 1, Number 1. Tons of jokes that are still relevant, even if you don’t know the people involved. I’m especially proud that it’s part of the DP5k collection.

It has, for instance, been usually thought, by most actors, that after a gentleman has murdered his sovereign, and caused a similar peccadillo to be committed upon his dearest friend, he would be, in some degree, agitated, and put out of the even tenor of his way, when the ghost of Banquo appears at the banquet…. Mr. Graham indulges us with a new reading. He carefully places one foot somewhat in advance of the other, and puts his hands together with the utmost deliberation. Again, he says mildly–

“Avaunt! and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee!”

in a tone which would well befit the situation, if the text ran thus:–

“Dear me, how singular! Pray go!”