Fine Books & Manuscripts

RICHARDSON, Samuel (1689–1761). The History of Charles Grandison in a Series of Letters. London: printed for S. Richardson; et al., 1754. 6 volumes, 8vo. [Vol. I bound with:] Copy of a Letter to a Lady and Answer to a Letter from a Friend. March 1754. 12mo, 8pp. Woodcut head and tailpieces. Early calf re–backed with original spine laid down, raised bands, two spine labels with gilt titles, compartments decorated in gilt, marbled endpapers (hinges reinforced, small loss to tail of backstrip on Vol. IV; others slightly chipping or rubbed, occasional foxing). Second edition published in the same year as the first. The book was a response to Henry Fielding’s The History of Tom Jones…”, which parodied the morals presented in Richardson’s previous novels.