THE CHRONICLES OF BARSETSHIRE. [Including: THE WARDEN; BARCHESTER TOWERS; DR THORNE; FRAMLEY PARSONAGE; THE SMALL HOUSE AT ALLINGTON; THE LAST CHRONICLE OF BARSET]

London: The Zodiac Press, 1961-1963. 6 volumes bound in five. With the original decorated covers to each volume bound in. 8vo, beautifully bound Bayntun of Bath, England in three-quarter crushed red morocco over red cloth covered boards, the spines with raised bands gilt tooled, two compartments lettered in gilt, marbled end-leaves, top edges gilt. vi, 202,[1]; viii, 472; viii, 510, [1]; vii,470, [1]; viii, 611; viii, 782, [1]] pp. A very fine set, beautifully preserved, the bindings and text-blocks in excellent condition, clean and tight and beautifully preserved. A HANDSOME AND FINELY BOUND COMPLETE SET OF TROLLOPE'S MOST FAMOUS NOVELS. George Orwell called THE WARDENl "probably the most successful" of Trollope's "clerical series", and "one of his best works". 'The Warden concerns Mr Septimus Harding, the meek, elderly warden of Hiram's Hospital and precentor of Barchester Cathedral, in the fictional county of Barsetshire.
The story concerns the impact upon Harding and his circle when a zealous young reformer, John Bold, launches a campaign to expose the disparity in the apportionment of the charity's income between its object, and its officer, Mr Harding. John Bold embarks on this campaign in a spirit of public duty despite his romantic involvement with Eleanor and previously cordial relations with Mr Harding. Bold starts a lawsuit and Mr Harding is advised by the indomitable Dr Grantly, his son-in-law, to stand his ground.
'BARCHESTER TOWERS, published in 1857, satirizes the then raging antipathy in the Church of England between High Church and Evangelical adherents. Trollope began writing the book in 1855, wrote constantly, and made himself a writing-desk so he could continue writing while traveling by train. "Pray know that when a man begins writing a book he never gives over," he wrote in a letter during this period. "The evil with which he is beset is as inveterate as drinking – as exciting as gambling." And, years later in his autobiography, he observed "In the writing of Barchester Towers I took great delight. The bishop and Mrs. Proudie were very real to me, as were also the troubles of the archdeacon and the loves of Mr. Slope." "Barchester Towers is many readers' favourite Trollope", wrote The Guardian, which included it in its list of "1000 novels everyone must read".'
FRAMLEY PARSONAGE originally appeared in the very first issue of The Cornhill magazine edited by Thackeray and was then issued only once in triple-decker format. The novel is in the author's own works a "thoroughly English" story with "much Church, but more love-making." It tells the story of Mark Robarts, a young vicar, who has newly settled in the village of Framley with his wife and children. The Vicar soon falls prey to politicians and money-loaners. A second plot line focuses on the romance between Mark's sister Lucy and Lord Lufton.
THE SMALL HOUSE AT ALLINGTON was written at the height of Trollope's creative powers and popularity. It follows two of his best-loved heroines, Lillian and Bell Dale. It concerns the Dale family, who live in the "Small House", a dower house intended for the widowed mother of the owner of the estate. As with all of Trollope's novels, this one contains many sub-plots and numerous minor characters. Plantagenet Palliser makes his first appearance, as he contemplates a dalliance with Griselda Grantly, the now-married Lady Dumbello, daughter of the Archdeacon introduced earlier in the Chronicles of Barsetshire.
"SMALL HOUSE" also continues Trollope's association with artist John Millais. Millais displays on this occasion a refined style with finer detailing and more confidence then we saw last in "ORLEY FARM".