The Works of Henry Fielding, Esq. Edited with a biographical essay by Leslie Stephen.
London: Smith, Elder, & Co., 1882. Large 8vo. 10 volumes, set. Limited edition. #753 of 1,250 sets (1000 for Europe & 250 for the USA). Rebound in various colours of buckram with gilt lettering to the spines and various geometric patterns to the back boards (volume 10 also has a pattern to the front board). Patterned endpapers with a repeat motif of an eagle in alternating columns of black and white. Hogarth's portrait of the author is the frontispiece of volume 1. The first five volumes (covering the fiction) each include 8 tissue-guarded plates by W. Small. Most spines slightly faded. Volumes 5-10 have patches of discolouration/fading to the boards. The plates are a bit foxed, probably owing to the tissue used as guards. Very good. Item #9180
The set comprises: 1. Tom Jones; 2. Tom Jones; 3. Amelia; 4. Joseph Andrew; 5. Jonathan Wild; 6. Essays & Legal Cases; 7. A Voyage to Lisbon, Legal Papers, Poems; 8. Dramatic Works; 9. Dramatic Works II; 10. Dramatic Works III. These are large, heavy volumes and the buckram rebinding makes practical sense. The gilt ornamentation to the boards adds a nice touch.
Price: £350.00