[Rarebooks] FS: First Edition of the First Novel by the Father of English Novels

[Charles Agvent]

FIELDING,  Henry.  THE  HISTORY   OF  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  JOSEPH
ANDREWS....  London: A. Millar 1742.  First edition of the first novel,
of  which only 1500 copies were printed, by the father of the  English
novel  and  the creator of TOM JONES.  Two duodecimo volumes.  xix  [1]
308  [4];  [3]  310  [2] pages.  With the  two  leaves  of  publisher's
advertisements  in  each volume.  Cross III, 305; Rothschild 844.  Very
attractive  full  calf  by  F. Bedford with  marbled  endpapers,  gilt
dentelles,  all  edges  gilt, and heavily gilt-decorated  spines  with
green  and  red morocco spine labels.  Tipped to the front endpaper  of
the  first  volume is a 1778 newspaper clipping of a "Prologue to  the
New  Farce  of Joseph Andrews."  Some wear to joints with  minor  loss.
Possibly  rebacked  but if so done very skillfully.  Lovely example. 
Near Fine                                $5000.00


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CHARLES AGVENT
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