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

FIELDING, Henry (1707-1754)

Lot 102
13.12.2023 11:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 2 772
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 1105708
Lot 102 | FIELDING, Henry (1707-1754)
Estimate value
£ 4 000 – 6 000
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).

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