Laurence Sterne | The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, 1760-67, 9 vols in 5, signed by Sterne in vols 5, 7 & 9

From the Library of Clayre and Jay Michael Haft

Laurence Sterne

The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. London: printed for R. and J. Dodsley, 1760-1767 

9 volumes bound in 5, 8vo (153 x 97mm.), engraved frontispieces after Hogarth to volumes 1 and 3, half-titles in volumes 5, 7, and 9 (as called for), WITH STERNE'S SIGNATURE IN INK AT HEAD OF CHAPTER 1 IN VOLUMES 5, 7 AND 9 (as usual), contemporary calf, spines gilt with raised bands in six compartments, red morocco labels in second and third compartments, yellow edges, scattered spotting and browning, occasional waterstaining at extremities, small closed tear to half-title of volume 9, spines darkened, upper joints to first and final volumes splitting 

A mixed edition, volumes 1 and 2 from the second edition and volumes 3-9 from the first edition. 

Sterne autographed the beginning of the first and second editions of volume 5, and the first editions of volumes 7 and 9. This laborious means of protecting his book from piracy meant that he had to sign his name an estimated 12,750 times.

LITERATURE:

Rothschild II, 1970 (all first editions)

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 (née Stephenson), Countess of Clanwilliam (1876-1952): ownership inscription to front free endpaper of volume 1, dated 1911