The Clockmaker

London: Richard Bentley, 1838-40. Leather. Very Good. 8" by 5". Not Stated. Early editions of the first, second, and third series of 'The Clockmaker', with a tipped-in handwritten letter by the author, Thomas Chandler Haliburton. The Clockmaker; or The Sayings and Doings of Samuel Slick of Slickville is a series of works narrated by a fictional Canadian judge, Samuel Slick. Slick has a wry wit and gives his views on human nature in a column in a newspaper, 'The Novascotian'. Including the first, second, and third series of this work. The first series is the fourth edition published in 1838, with four engraved plates. The second series is a new edition published in 1838, with four engraved plates. The third series is the first edition published in 1840, with five engraved plates. Collated and complete.Written by Thomas Chandler Haliburton, a Nova Scotian politician, judge, and writer. His literary works represent life in Canada during the mid nineteenth-century. This work was previously owned by a friend of Haliburton's, Robert H. Alexander of Brandfold, Kent, and it contains a tipped-in handwritten letter by the author to Alexander. Alexander's bookplate is adhered to the front pastedown of each volume.  In contemporary half calf binding with marbled boards. Externally, generally smart with some shelf wear to the boards and light rubbing to the extremities. Some more significant rubbing to the front board of the first series. Previous owner's bookplate to the front pastedown of each volume, and a tipped in handwritten letter by the author adhered to the front blank of the first series. Internally, front hinge to the first series is lightly strained. Remaining binding is firm. A few spots to the pages, particularly to the plates and pages opposite the pages, otherwise pages are generally bright and clean. Very Good