12mo. [2], iv, 159, [1], 4, [40], 15pp, [1]. With an engraved frontispiece, an engraved title page, a further five engraved plates, and a tipped-in errata slip. Original publisher's printed pink paper boards. Housed in original publisher's red roan slip-case, paper labels with title and date in manuscript to left-hand side. Lightly rubbed and marked, slipcase heavily rubbed and discoloured. Early inked ownership inscription of M. A. Williams to FEP, occasional ink-stamps of Nottingham Free Public Libraries, plates lightly browned.

A charming Regency paean to the female sex, preserved in original unsophisticated state.

'Publications of a similar nature have been but lately essayed in England, and of those which have appeared, this is probably the first and the only one, the peculiar object of which has been to pay a tribute of respect and homage to the fair sex'.

The book, comprised principally of anonymous 'original' prose and verse extracts celebrating aspects of female form and character, serves additionally as an almanac; with an engraved calendar and 'a list of the principal societies, exhibitions, and places of public amusement in the metropolis' provided.

Of particular note is the inclusion of four poems by then recently deceased Lord Byron, all apparently 'hitherto unpublished'; an addition that did not go unnoticed by The Monthly Critical Gazette's (January, 1825, p.189) favourable review: 'Hommage aux Dames is another of those Christmas presents which the present year has produced in such abundance. Without ascribing to it all the merits of some of its contemporaries its execution is highly creditable to its author. The engravings are very pretty, several of its tales are highly interesting and impressive, and the poetical department contains several unpublished pieces of Lord Byron. Independently of its contents, the volume is very handsomely got up, and exhibits a tasteful and elegant appearance.'