Thomas Rowlandson's Comparative Anatomy (1822) was the top lot of Dreweatts and Bloomsbury's Library of a Gentleman sale in London on November 7.
The manuscript, an album of drawings and watercolours, realised £48,000 ($77,232) against an estimate of £10,000-15,000 ($16,090-24,135) - an increase of 220%.
 Rowlandson's Comparative Anatomy dates to 1822 |
It features a set of caricatures depicting humorous comparisons between men and animals, and displays the influence of physiognomy - a pseudoscience in vogue at the time.
The book is in good condition, featuring only light spotting and browning, and is bound in the original vellum.
Just two other copies are known to exist. Both are held in the collection of the British Museum in London.
A complete set of George Moutard Woodward's The Caricature Magazine (or Hudisbratic Mirror) made £30,000 ($48,270) - an increase of 100% on the £15,000 ($24,135) high estimate.
 The five volumes of the Caricature Magazine are bound in half red roan over marbled boards |
The five volume collection (1819-1823) features 385 plates etched by Moutard and other leading caricaturists of the day.
It displays some soiling and foxing, along with stains and tears that have been repaired, but is extremely rare in any condition.
A complete 10-volume set of Charles Phillipon's La Caricature Morale, Religeuese, Litteraire et Scenique (1830-1835) sold for £13,000 ($20,917).
251 issues of the satirical magazine were published in France during the 1830s, many of which featured savage depictions of the political and social elite.
King Louis Philippe I was so enraged by the publication that he banned political caricature in 1835.
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