"ONE OF THE FIRST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL OF ENGLISH NOVELS"

FIELDING, Henry. The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling. London: T. Longman et al., 1792. Three volumes. 12mo (measuring 4 by 7 inches), contemporary full brown tree calf rebacked and recornered, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, brown morocco spine labels. $1750.

Handsomely bound edition of Fielding's Tom Jones, "a milestone in the development of the English novel."

First published in 1749, Tom Jones "is generally regarded as Fielding's greatest, and as one of the first and most influential of English novels" (Drabble, 988). "A milestone in the development of the English novel… It would be nearly another 150 years before a major novel could deal as frankly with the sexuality of its central character" (An English Library, 21). Bookplates of American poet, translator and scholar Mitchell S. Buck.

Volume III with pages 318-19 printed poorly at bottom of page, affecting readability; rubbing to handsome contemporary calf boards. An attractive copy.