Lot 164
  • 164

Thackeray, William Makepeace

Estimate
800 - 1,200 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Thackeray, William Makepeace
  • A collection of novels and essays, comprising:
  • paper
i) Comic Tales and Sketches. London: Hugh Cunningham, 1841, 2 volumes, FIRST EDITION, 2 plates, original green cloth, blocked in blind, spines lettered in gilt, slightly spotted, covers lightly rubbed, spines slightly chipped at head and foot; ii) The Newcomes. London: Bradbury & Evans, 1854, 2 volumes, FIRST EDITION, 23 plates and vignette title page by Richard Doyle, half-title in vol.1, original steel-blue cloth, blocked in blind, spines lettered in gilt, some spotting and browning, covers lightly rubbed, spines bumped at end; iii) The Book of Snobs. London: Punch Office, 1858, FIRST EDITION, 65 woodcuts and initials by Thackeray, half-title, 2 pages of advertisements, original printed pictorial paper wrappers, also designed by the author, modern blue cloth chemise and morocco-backed slipcase, wrappers neatly repaired and restored, back strip worn with some repairs, embossed stamp on front endpaper; vi) The Four Georges. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1861, FIRST EDITION, SECOND ISSUE (without "Sketches ..." on title-page and with the 16-page publisher's catalogue dated December 1861), 13 woodcuts in text,  half-title, original green cloth, blocked in blind, spine lettered in gilt, in brown cloth chemise and morocco-backed slipcase, occasional slight spotting, hinges cracked, some light wear to joints and edges, embossed stamp on front endpaper; v) The Adventures of Phillip. London: Smith, Elder and Col., 1862, 3 volumes, FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, half-titles, 16-page publisher's catalogue dated July 1862 at end of vol.3, original brown morocco cloth blocked in blind, spines lettered in gilt, collector's chemise and morocco-backed slipcase, light damp-staining in vol.1, covers lightly rubbed, spines slightly bumped at head and foot; vi) The English Humourists of the Eighteenth Century. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1853, SECOND EDITION, with the expanded title and publisher's advertisements dated June, 1853, original blue marbled cloth, inscription on half-title, hinges worn, some wear to joints and extremities; 8vo and 12mo (10)

Provenance

i) Sylvain van de Weyer, bookplate; iii) Hilda Wilkinson Bartlett, bookplate on chemise; v) Eugene Grosman, bookplate on chemise; vi) James St Aubyn, bookplate

Literature

Van Duzer 16, 25, 59a, 62 and 35b [The Newcombes not in Van Duzer]

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Included here are two collections of lectures Thackeray delivered first in major cities in England and Scotland and later in North America. These lecture tours were a success both critically and financially but not without some cost to Thackeray: "Always averse to public speaking, his nervousness before the first lecture is said to have been pitiable" (Van Duzen).