[Rarebooks] FS: THE HISTORY OF TOM JONES, 1749, 6 volumes in a Charles Lewis binding

[Charles Agvent]

FIELDING, Henry. THE HISTORY OF TOM JONES, A FOUNDLING in a Charles 
Lewis binding. London: A. Millar, 1749. Second Edition. Six volumes 
bound in early full paneled calf leather with gilt-decorated boards and 
elaborately gilt-decorated spines with contrasting morocco spine labels: 
lxiii, [i], 214; [2] 324; [2] 370; [2] 312; [2] 294; [2] 304 pages. 
Binding with the small leather label on the front pastedown of Charles 
Lewis, one of the best bookbinders of the early 19th century and 
employer of Francis Bedford, who took over Lewis's shop after his death. 
Considered to be the first true novel in English. Second edition, 
printed from reset type of the first edition, correcting a number of 
minor mistakes. Cross III, pages 316-317. Often mistakenly referred to 
as the second issue of the first edition. Probably printed on 13 April 
1749, the first edition having been printed only about a month prior, 
with the errata corrected and the table of contents for all six volumes 
preceding the text in the first volume. Light, scattered foxing. Rubbing 
to joints, covers firm. Near Fine in a handsome Charles Lewis binding.

Cross describes the need for this edition so soon after the first: 
"Immediate revision was rendered imperative on account of the numerous 
errors that crept into the text owing to the haste with which the novel 
had been at last put through the press.... Type and paper are the same 
and the paging is kept uniform with the edition having the errata.... 
The table of contents is re-spaced so as to extend into the page 
formerly given to the errata.... Scores of individual pages differ 
either in the number of lines or in the last words and phrases." 
(#017300)        $3,500.00

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