"ONE OF THE LONGEST AND MOST DISTINCTIVE LITERARY CAREERS OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY"

COLLINS, Wilkie. Antonia; or, the Fall of Rome. London: Richard Bentley, 1850. Three volumes. Octavo, late 19th century full blue calf, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, red morocco spine labels, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt. $1250.

First edition of Collins' first novel, set in ancient Rome, handsomely bound by Riviere and Son.

Collins had "one of the longest and most distinctive literary careers of the nineteenth century… In the course of nearly half a century's writing [he] tried many new ways of reaching and expanding his audience. Dickensian Christmas books, short stories, three-decker novels, magazine and newspaper serializations flowed from his pen with a productivity unchecked" (Bowen 4-5).

Repair to two spine labels, scuffing to Volume I rear board, light edge-wear.