The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray. (50 of) 52 volume set in full polished crushed morocco. Illustrated with plates. Limited Edition, #131 of 1000 copies.

Thackeray, William M.:

Edité par London, Smith, Elder & Co. about 1903,

A propos de cet article

4to (265 x 180 mm). IIlustrated with engraved frontispieces, vignette titles, plates, text illustrations, and initials, all on India paper. The Christmas Books with colored plates. One of 1,000 large paper copies. Period dark blue full crushed morocco bindings, raised bands gilt ruled, ornate gilt stamped compartments & spine lettering, boards outlined in concentric sets of triple gilt ruled boxes, ornate gilt stamped designs to the four corners w/ red morocco inlays, a.e.g., both inner boards with large central red morocco panels, ornately gilt ruled dentelles, blue silk-moire endpapers. Numerous original watercolours scattered through-out the first volume, including several full page hand colored original engravings plus many smaller and lovely marginal watercolours. All the watercolours are quite beautiful, well executed and of a high artistic standard. A monumental and imposing set, composed of 50 volumes [of 52]. The set survives lacking 2 volumes (volumes numbered 40 & 42). Nevertheless, this unfortunate fault is entirely forgivable when you actually view the set in a bookcase. Overall, the set is well preserved, leather remaining supple & rich in appearance. Spines uniformly and pleasantly age-toned to brown as often occurs with dark blue leather, some small scattered scuffing & rubbing in spots, a few spine ends rubbed, worn or slightly chipped or fraying, some raised bands scuffed, other minor age flaws, etc. But overall a very attractive and imposing turn-of-the- century leather bound set in a deluxe period binding, perhaps custom-bound for the original owner. Almost certainly a massive set such as this would have been offered in different levels of binding, from simple cloth up through 1/2 leather to the top, full crushed morocco with inlay. This set almost transcends typical publishers leather bindings of the era and strongly suggests custom. Handsome shelf appearance despite the light age wear. On the shelf you would almost never notice the lacking volumes, as the spine base numbering is tiny and visually lost in the beautiful gilt decorated spines. With some volumes placed boards outward for display, this fault would be undetectable and of no significance. Final leaf of vol. 1 has a full page inscription which reads This set of Thackeray of the original Smith, Elder Edition was presented to my father, Eugene Field, in London in 1889 by his friend Andrew Lang and he had it specially bound. Eugene Field, Sept. 20- 1924. This inscription was then notarized in Illinois by G.D. Edwards. Sprache: Englisch Gewicht in Gramm: 50550.

N° de réf. du vendeur 11742

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray. (50 of) 52 volume set in full polished crushed morocco. Illustrated with plates. Limited Edition, #131 of 1000 copies.
• Éditeur: London, Smith, Elder & Co. about 1903,
• Langue: anglais
• Reliure: Gr.-8°, Ledereinband
• Poids: 50550 grammes
• Signé: Signé par l'auteur
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • Bibliophile Ausgabe / Pressedruck