Hillingdon Hall or the Cockney Squire: A Tale of Country Life

519 (24) pp, preface, list of tissue-protected hand-colored illustrations, 47 chapters; publications of John C. Nimmo. Robert Smith Surtees (1805-1864) was an English editor, novelist and sporting writer, widely known as R. S. Surtees. He was the second son of Anthony Surtees of Hamsterley Hall, a member of an old County Durham family. He launched out on his own with the New Sporting Magazine in 1831, contributing the comic papers which appeared as Jorrocks' Jaunts and Jollities in 1838. Jorrocks, the sporting cockney grocer, with his vulgarity and good-natured artfulness, was a great success with the public, and Surtees produced more Jorrocks novels in the same vein, notably Handley Cross and Hillingdon Hall, where the description of the house is very reminiscent of Hamsterley. 'This, one of the best of Surtees' works, was originally commenced in the New Sporting Magazine, and illustrated by the inimitable artists, Wildrake and Heath, but was completed in that Magazine. It was afterwards published in a Three Volume Edition. The Five illustrations now added are by John Jellicoe, and illustrated the latter portion of the work not done by Wildrake or Heath. All are coloured by hand (publisher's note).'" Rebound in three-quarter leather. A small black mark at bottom of spine with age toned text block edges. Clean, tight and strong binding with no underlining, highlighting or marginalia. Three-quarter brown leather with marble paper-covered boards with raised bands and gilt lettering to spine, and marble end-papers. Size: Large 8vo.…