Punch’s Pocket Book

Q All that survives of Punch’s Pocket Book for 1855 is, presumably, the front cover. Can anyone enlighten me as to what the contents would have been? Size: 83 x 121mm (3¼ x 4¾in).

A This annual publication running from 1843-81 (at least), reprinted items from the previous year and included items normally to be found in a diary. Here, for example is the one for 1879, taken from the ebay website.

“Punch’s Pocket Book for 1879, A Calendar, Cash Account,
Diary and Memoranda For Every Day in the Year.
Illustrated by John Tenniel, Charles Keene and Linley Sambourne.
London: Punch Office, 85, Fleet Street, E.C.,
Bradbury Agnew, & Co., 8,9, & 10 Bouverie Street, E. C. 1879.
Bound in Red Box-Grain Sheepskin.
Filled with 14 humorous, black and white caricatures and
a colour plate of a high wheel bicycle.
Runs to 208 pages”.

Malcolm Shifrin

A A couple of photographs of Punch’s Pocket Book for 1854 showing the book closed and the inside fold-out colour print and illustrated title page.

The illustration in this edition are by John Leech and John Tenniel. Photograph showing open pocket book with fold out colour print and title page

Punch Addict

Queries 2003/4

Query Archive

This regular feature invites answers by email to members’ questions on an item of ephemera.