The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling.

FIELDING, Henry.

$7,800.00

Item Number: 139551

London: Printed for A. Millar, 1749.

First edition, first issue of one of the most influential English novels, one only 2,000 copies printed. Octavo, bound in full contemporary polished calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels. First issued with the errata leaf present in the first volume and errata uncorrected throughout the text. In good condition. Small bookplates. Each volume house in a custom half morocco and folding chemise slipcase.

"The book is generally regarded as Fielding’s greatest, and as one of the first and most influential of English novels" (Drabble, 988). "Such was the demand that all 2,500 copies in print had already been sold by the date announced for its official publication, a phenomenon that one observer believed to be 'an unheard-of case.' Tom Jones quickly sold 10,000 copies, making it one of the great best-sellers of its time; it has never since been out of print." (John Allen Stevenson, The Real History of Tom Jones).