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The vicar of Wakefield

The vicar of Wakefield

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The vicar of Wakefield

by GOLDSMITH, Oliver

  • Used
Condition
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Seller
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Sherman Oaks, California, United States
Item Price
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About This Item

London: John Van Voorst, 1843. With 32 text engravings. Full red morocco, boards gilt-ruled, gilt edges and dentelles, with white and gold patterned end-papers; an exquisite copy from the library of James Anderson Rose (see below) with his armorial bookplate. ENGRAVINGS BY WILLIAM MULREADY. The first edition to appear with the engravings by Mulready. "Embellishments of English books have usually been characterized by those powers of art which appeal more particularly to the eye. The object aimed at in this attempt to illustrate the most popular of Goldsmith's works is, that character and composition may, with the aid of drawing, appeal directly to the understanding. It is presumed that the most distinguished talent of British Art applicable to this purpose has been obtained."

Mulready's brilliance as an artist was recognized at an early age, having been accepted to the Royal Academy School at the age of 14. He was elected a member of the Royal Academy at the age of 31, and was awarded the Legion d'Honneur for paintings that he sent the Paris International Exhibition. He was launched into certain fame as a book illustrator after his work in The Vicar of Wakefield.

Provenance: Rose (1819-90) was a solicitor, as well as a major print collector, confidant, and friend of artists, including James McNeill Whistler and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. He owned The Sleeper and Sleeping woman and had a magnificent collection of James Whistler's etchings.
NSTC, I&II, 2M40682.

Synopsis

"The greatest object in the universe, says a certain philosopher, is a good man struggling with adversity." When Dr Primrose loses his fortune in a disastrous investment, his idyllic life in the country is shattered and he is forced to move with his wife and six children to an impoverished living on the estate of Squire Thornhill. Taking to the road in pursuit of his daughter, who has been seduced by the rakish Squire, the beleaguered Primrose becomes embroiled in a series of misadventures – encountering his long-lost son in a travelling theatre company and even spending time in a debtor’s prison. Yet Primrose, though hampered by his unworldliness and pride, is sustained by his unwavering religious faith. In The Vicar of Wakefield , Goldsmith gently mocks many of the literary conventions of his day – from pastoral and romance to the picaresque – infusing his story of a hapless clergyman with warm humour and amiable social satire. In his introduction, Stephen Coote discusses Goldsmith’s eventful life, the literary devices used in the novel, and its central themes of Christianity, justice and the family. This edition also includes a bibliography and notes.

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Details

Bookseller
Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts US (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #
12203
Title
The vicar of Wakefield
Author
GOLDSMITH, Oliver
Book Condition
Used
Quantity Available
1
Publisher
John Van Voorst
Place of Publication
London
Date Published
1843
Keywords
literature, poetry

Terms of Sale

Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts

30 day return guarantee, with full refund including shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.

About the Seller

Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts

Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Biblio member since 2009
Sherman Oaks, California

About Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts

Founded in 1970, Rootenberg Rare Books has served a large international clientele of collectors as well as private and public institutions in the acquisition of rare books and manuscripts, and in collection development. We are among the leading specialists in the fields of science, medicine, technology and natural history. We also maintain high quality rare books and manuscripts in diverse subjects including travel and exploration, literary classics, economics and philosophy, Americana, and modern first editions, many inscribed. Our expertise and familiarity with these subjects allows us to acquire and house major collections in these fields. We are dedicated to our customer's specific needs, and look forward to developing long term relationships by keeping you informed about significant materials in your areas of interest. Rootenberg Rare Books consists of three generations: grandmother, father and daughter, and is located minutes from West Los Angeles, near UCLA and the Getty, as well as a second location in Durham, North Carolina. We always welcome visitors, though appointments are suggested. We occasionally issue finely printed and illustrated catalogues as well as specialized subject lists, and are constantly adding existing and new material to our website. We exhibit at several national and international book fairs during the year, represent clients at auction and offer appraisal and other professional services. We are always interested in purchasing single items or entire collections, and would be pleased to consider any materials you wish to sell. Special requests and specific wants will be given particular attention. We are always available, via phone, fax or email, to answer questions, search for a specific title, or provide information on our inventory.

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

First Edition
In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
Morocco
Morocco is a style of leather book binding that is usually made with goatskin, as it is durable and easy to dye. (see also...
Gilt
The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
Edges
The collective of the top, fore and bottom edges of the text block of the book, being that part of the edges of the pages of a...
Bookplate
Highly sought after by some collectors, a book plate is an inscribed or decorative device that identifies the owner, or former...

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