"ALL GOLDSMITH'S WORK IS LIKE A TAPESTRY… THREADED THROUGH WITH GLOWING IMAGES AND TENDER BEAUTY"

GOLDSMITH, Oliver. The Works. Edited by Peter Cunningham. London: John Murray, 1854. Four volumes. Octavo, mid-20th century three-quarter burgundy morocco gilt, raised bands, marbled boards and endpapers, top edges gilt. $600.

First edition of Cunningham’s esteemed edition of Goldsmith’s works, with vignette title pages, handsomely bound by Bayntun.

"All Goldsmith’s work is like a tapestry… threaded through with glowing images and tender beauty” (Kunitz & Haycraft, 228). "Cunningham, whose scrupulous exactness is generally known, has furnished the first complete and accurate reprint of Goldsmith. Numerous errors which had crept into previous editions are corrected, omitted passages are restored and entire pieces have been added" (Allibone, 461). Includes The Vicar of Wakefield, The Bee, poetical works, dramas, essays, reviews and extracts from other works. Engraved frontispiece plate of Goldsmith's monument in Volume IV.

A fine set, handsomely bound.