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Henry Fielding, 1749
Details
Tom Jones
Henry Fielding, 1749
FIELDING, Henry (1707-1754). The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling. London: A. Millar, 1749.
First edition of Fielding's comic masterpiece. Dismissed by a contemporary reviewer as “a motley history of bastardism, fornication, and adultery,” it is now widely regarded as one of the most influential novels in the English language. It was so eagerly received by its first readers that four editions totaling 10,000 copies were called for in less than a year. Although Fielding in Tom Jones “vividly evokes a particular time and place, his true subject, he declares in the opening chapter, is nothing less than ‘HUMAN NATURE’; and his story, to borrow the compliment he paid Cervantes, is ‘the History of the World in general.’” See Battestin, Fielding Companion, p. 195; Cross III, p. 316; Grolier English 48; Rothschild 850.
Six volumes, 12mo (163 x 95mm). Errata and all canceled leaves present (F6 in vol.4 with repaired tear). Contemporary sprinkled calf (some wear at joints, small chip to foot of vol. 6 spine, vol. 4 expertly rebound to style). Provenance: John Rolle, Baron Rolle of Stevenstone, 1750-1842 (armorial bookplate).
Henry Fielding, 1749
FIELDING, Henry (1707-1754). The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling. London: A. Millar, 1749.
First edition of Fielding's comic masterpiece. Dismissed by a contemporary reviewer as “a motley history of bastardism, fornication, and adultery,” it is now widely regarded as one of the most influential novels in the English language. It was so eagerly received by its first readers that four editions totaling 10,000 copies were called for in less than a year. Although Fielding in Tom Jones “vividly evokes a particular time and place, his true subject, he declares in the opening chapter, is nothing less than ‘HUMAN NATURE’; and his story, to borrow the compliment he paid Cervantes, is ‘the History of the World in general.’” See Battestin, Fielding Companion, p. 195; Cross III, p. 316; Grolier English 48; Rothschild 850.
Six volumes, 12mo (163 x 95mm). Errata and all canceled leaves present (F6 in vol.4 with repaired tear). Contemporary sprinkled calf (some wear at joints, small chip to foot of vol. 6 spine, vol. 4 expertly rebound to style). Provenance: John Rolle, Baron Rolle of Stevenstone, 1750-1842 (armorial bookplate).
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