A Complete History of England, From the Descent of Julius Caesar, To the Treaty of Aix la Chapelle, 1748. Containing the Transactions of One Thousand Eight Hundred and Three Years. By Tobias Smollett. London: James Rivington & James Fletcher, 1758-1760.
A STUNNING EARLY SET OF SMOLLETT’S IMPORTANT HISTORY OF ENGLAND WITH VERY NOTABLE PROVENANCE. THE ROBERT SURTEES COPY WITH HIS 18th CENTURY ARTISTIC SKETCHES FOR HIS PAINTINGS!
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A fantastic early set of Smollett’s important History of England with the abundant very attractive engraved plates bound throughout, many foldouts. Volumes 1-3 are from the second edition, and volumes 4-11 are from the third edition, most likely all bought at the same time circa 1760 and subsequently uniformly bound.
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Provenance:
Part of the Mainsforth Library collection, thus a part of Robert Surtees’ library, the famous antiquarian of County Durham & celebrated historian of English history. From 1804 onwards, Surtees had begun collecting material for what was to become his monumental county history, The History of Durham of which this set was clearly a part of his research for that book having been owned by his father. He was a studious and sensitive man who did not always have good health. He was hospitable at Mainsforth, and guests included Sir Walter Scott, with whom Surtees frequently corresponded. Ownership inscription of Robert Surtees to head of title page of volume 6. This is the famous historian’s father of the same name, dated 1764, so clearly he was the original purchaser and it was kept by descent in the Surtees family collection.
Very interestingly, there are lots of pencil and ink sketches to the endpapers in this set by Robert Surtees (the father) who is also known as an artist. Many of the sketches are clearly sketches for use in some of his paintings with elements having distinct similarities. A genuine rarity to find the artists sketches and manuscript discussion of his inspiration behind some of his historical artworks and portraiture throughout this set.
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Size: 132 x 200 mm (approx., each)
Condition:
[(2), t.p., 6pp, 479pp, (2)]; [(2), t.p., 478pp., (3)]; [(2), t.p., 479pp., (2)]; [(2), t.p., 479pp, (2)]; [(2), t.p., 478pp., (3)]; [(1), t.p., 480pp., (1)]; [(2), t.p., 472pp., (2); [(2), t.p., 478pp, (1)]; [(2), t.p., 478pp, (3)]: [(1), t.p., 465pp., (2)]; [(2), t.p., 486pp., 2pp., (2)]
Contemporary quarter calf bindings, a little rubbed with loss of title labels, but very attractive indeed on the shelf. Some bindings a little cocked, but shows very attractively on the shelf. All boards attached. Some old marginalia throughout in the hand of Robert Surtees. Also some very interesting hand sketched art in pencil and ink to blanks/endpapers in places, with marginalia referencing the production of artworks, perhaps portraiture, but also a “history painting” or multiple, with manuscript page references to the inspiration behind his art. There are some early pencil drawings of the various historical figures below some of the illustrated plates of very high quality. A very interesting set! Bookplate of Mainsforth Library to front pastedown of each volume with various marginalia and ink/pencil drawings in places throughout.
An incredible set, used as an 18th century artist’s reference! A genuine rarity, truly a one of a kind set.
