Roland Cashel

London: Chapman and Hall, 1848-49. First edition. Leather. Very Good. 9.5" by 7". Phiz. An extremely scarce example of Charles Lever's novel 'Roland Cashel' in the original parts. Being twenty parts in nineteen, and held in a very smart custom-made morocco case. The custom-made morocco case is modelled after a book and therefore would stand beautifully on any book-shelf. With the parts in a generally smart condition. Comprising of 1 May 1848 - October 1849. Collated, complete. With a tipped in advert for 'Mr Thackeray's New Christmas Book' to part I. Illustrated throughout by noted Victorian artist, Hablot Knight Browne or 'Phiz'. Phiz frequently illustrated works by Charles Dickes, Charles Lever and Harrison Ainsworth. With an illustrated frontispiece, vignette title page, and thirty-eight plates. Several plates to this work, particularly the frontispiece, are reflective of a style Phiz fully developed a couple of years later with his 'dark plates' for Dickens' 'Bleak House'. A scarce opportunity to own the original parts of this picaresque novel by Lever, who was known for basing his novels on his real life experiences. For this novel he drew on his time as an unqualified surgeon on an emigrant ship. Lever is noted for his tone as being not too dissimilar to his conversation. In the publisher's original wraps. Held in a custom made morocco slipcase, which has patches of rubbing to the raised bands and extremities. Externally, the wraps are generally smart. Minor loss to the head and tail of spines from chipping. Minor chips to the extremities of the odd volume. A few small holes and the odd tidemark to the front wrap of part I. Contemporary ink spills to the front wrap to No XVIII. Stamp to the front wrap of Part XV, 'Bingham, Broad St Bristol'. Small loss to the spine of part III. Small loss to the bottom of spine to no XI. Several marks to the front wrap of No XIV. Front hinge to part III is tender. Internally, all volumes are firmly bound. Pages are generally bright. Occasional chips and folds to the extremities. The occasional scattered spots to pages. Final gathering to part XIX-XX is uncut to the top edge. Very Good