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First and mixed editions of all nine volumes of one of the greatest comic novels in the English language, signed by Laurence Sterne in volumes V, VII, and IX as called for. Small octavo, nine volumes bound into five in full contemporary calf with elaborate gilt tooling and morocco spine labels lettered in gilt to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, engraved frontispieces after Hogarth to volumes I and III, half-titles in volumes V, VII and IX (as called for). Signed by the author at the head of the opening chapters of volumes V, VII, and IX. Mixed editions, volumes I and II from the second edition and volumes III-IV from the first edition. Sterne autographed the beginning of the first and second editions of volume V, and the first editions of volumes VII and IX. This laborious means of protecting his book from piracy meant that he had to sign his name an estimated 12,750 times. Provenance: John Gibbons (1777-1851), South Staffordshire ironmaster and patron of the arts: inscription to front free endpapers; old edition notes, initialled "C.H.", to facing endpapers; Muriel Mary Temple Meade (nee Stephenson), Countess of Clanwilliam (1876-1952): ownership inscription to front free endpaper of volume 1, dated 1911. In very good condition. A nice set. Tristram Shandy is considered by many the first modern novel and Sterne the father of stream of consciousness writing. It is perhaps the most literal example of a novel available. Sterne was an Anglican Vicar who was influenced by Pope, Locke, Swift and Cervantes. His narrative devices and styles have indelibly influenced many modern and postmodern authors: James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, Milan Kundera, Salmon Rushdie among others. "[Sterne] remains, as the author of Tristram Shandy, a delineator of the comedy of human life before whom only three or four humorous writers, in any tongue or of any age, can justly claim precedence⠦ he deserves many of the honors that have been paid to Pope and Swift" (DNB). Tristram Shandy's huge popular success made Sterne the toast of the London literary world. When some volumes were pirated, Sterne began signing some genuine editions of his work. This set is signed by Sterne at the head of the opening chapter. Seller Inventory # 144538
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