FIELDING, Henry (1707-1754) - photo 1
FIELDING, Henry (1707-1754) - photo 2

FIELDING, Henry (1707-1754)

Sold
£ 2 772
Auction dateClassic
13.12.2023 11:00UTC +01:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
United Kingdom, London
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 1105708
Lot 102 | FIELDING, Henry (1707-1754)
FIELDING, Henry (1707-1754)

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. London: Printed for A. Millar, 1749.

First edition of Fielding's comic masterpiece. Dismissed by a contemporary reviewer as ‘a motley history of bastardism, fornication, and adultery’, it is now widely regarded as one of the most influential novels in the language. It was so eagerly received by its first readers that four editions totalling 10,000 copies were called for in less than a year. Although Fielding in Tom Jones ‘vividly evokes a particular time and place, his true subject, he declares in the opening chapter, is nothing less than “HUMAN NATURE”; and his story, to borrow the compliment he paid Cervantes, is “the History of the World in general.”’ Cross III, p. 316; Rothschild 850.



6 volumes, 12mo (157 x 94mm). All cancel leaves present (one short marginal tear, repaired tear in title of vol. III, scattered staining or browning). Contemporary calf-backed boards, spines gilt, later red morocco spine labels (partial splitting to hinges, minor repairs at some joints and spine ends). Provenance: Elizabeth Nation (inscriptions dated 1773) – J. Frederick List (book label) – Anderson Galleries, 26-27 February 1931, lot 161 – Mrs J. B. Hirschorn, Great Neck (sale Parke Bernet, 26 November 1946, lot 92).

Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
09.12.2023 12:00 – 17:00
10.12.2023 12:00 – 17:00
11.12.2023 09:00 – 18:00
12.12.2023 09:00 – 17:00
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.