About this Item
A nine volume set (of 10) of Tobias Smollett's 'History of England', illustrated throughout, including with folding plates to Volume I all with the original binding. A nine volume set, lacking Volume VII, containing Volumes I - VI, and VIII - X. Volumes I to III of this set are the second editions, and Volumes IV to X are the third editions. This work is a thorough history of England, documenting from the descent of Julius Caesar, to the Treaty of Aix la Chapelle in 1748, overing roughly one thousand eight hundred and three years. The history focuses on the important events over the years, looking at each monarch and how they ruled, as well as looking at the lives of their people. Volume I, published 1758, with six plates, and five folding plates. Volume II, published 1758, with four plates. Volume III, published 1758, with four plates. Volume IV, published 1758, with three plates. Volume V, published 1758, with eight plates. Volume VI, published 1759, with twenty-two plates. Volume VIII, published 1759, with sixteen plates. Volume IX, published 1759, with eleven plates. Volume X, published 1759, with twenty-one plates. Written by the Scottish poet and novelist Tobias Smollett. He his best known for his novels 'Roderick Random', 'Peregrine Pickle', and 'Humphry Clinker'. Smollett considered his 'History' to be his greatest works, as this was the work for which he received real financial success. During the time he was writing his 'History' he served a brief prison sentence for libel. Collated, no collation available for Volumes I to III, however a collation is available on WorldCat for Volumes IV - X. Collating using that, both volumes IV and X are lacking one plate each. In the original full calf binding. Externally, with rubbing to the spines, joints, extremities, and boards. Surface cracks to the spines. Volumes II, III, IV, V, and X are lacking spine labels. A little loss to the spine label of Volumes VIII and X. Marking to the boards. A little loss to the boards of Volume IX. Tidemarks to the rear board of Volume VIII. Ring mark and some loss to the front board of Volume V. Scorch mark to the spine of Volume V. Some spots to the fore edge of Volume IV. Volume IX with a crack to the head of the joints, and a crack to the tail of the front joint of Volume II. Front hinge is Volumes IV and X are starting but firm, whereas the front hinges of Volume I, II, III, VI, VIII, and IX are strained, resulting in the front joints of Volumes VI and VIII to be starting. Rear hinges of Volumes II, III, IV, and IX are starting but firm, where the rear hinges of Volumes IV, V, VIII, and X are strained. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are a touch age-toned with scattered spotting. Plates with some dusting to the fore edge and edegwear.Pages 7 - 10 to Volume VIII are working loose. Volume X is lacking the front endpapers. Loss to the rear endpapers of Volume IX. Closed tear close to the gutter for the folding plate facing page 27 in Volume I, with smaller closed tears to the extremities and gutter of the other folding plates in Volume I, being a little heavier to the plate facing page 125. Good.
Seller Inventory # 623P29
Contact seller
Report this item
