The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane. Translated by T. Smollett, M.D. and Illustrated by Jean Gigoux. 2 vols (set)

Description

Mid-19th-century binding in half tan calf, marbled paper to boards. Raised bands, gilt decor, and red gilt label to spine. Rubbing to boards and board edges. Top board corners of vol. I slightly pushed in. 8vo (16.5 x 24.3cm). Hinges sound. All edges marbled. A little creasing to fore-edges of vol. II, pp. 69-100, with small tears to fore-edges of pp. 85-98, not affecting text. Endpapers marbled. Frontispiece to both vols, vignette to t.p.s, and numerous in-text illus. Decorated initials throughout. Very light scattered foxing. Illustrations are by French artist Jean Gigoux (1806-1894), whose immensely successful series of several hundred woodcuts for Gil Blas was first published in 1835: this is their first publication in an English edition. The archetypal picaresque novel, Gil Blas was first published between 1715 and 1735; its most notable English translation, by Tobias Smollett, was first published in 1748 and is republished here. ‘The appeal of the novel lies above all in the vigour, speed, and humour of the narration. It enjoyed immediate and lasting success’ (France, ed., 2005, The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French). We have the 1841 English translation of Le Sage’s earlier classic, Asmodeus, available in a matching binding. Robust packaging. Tracking is always added to USA orders. It can be added to other overseas orders on request. Used books are exempt from USA tariffs.