FIRST EDITION IN ORIGINAL PARTS OF THACKERAY’S THE VIRGINIANS

THACKERAY, William Makepeace. The Virginians. A Tale of the Last Century. London: Bradbury and Evans, 1857-59. Octavo, 24 parts in original yellow printed wrappers, some partially unopened, housed in two red morocco solander boxes. $1100.

First edition, first issues, in original parts, with 48 illustrations by Thackeray himself.

Written after unsuccessfully pursuing a seat in Parliament, Thackeray continues the saga of the Esmond family of Virginia through Henry’s grandsons, who took opposing positions during the American Revolution but reconciled afterward, in this sequel to the 1852 novel Esmond. These 24 original parts were issued from November 1857 to October 1859. With 48 engraved plates and several small in-text woodcuts by Thackeray— the last book he illustrated himself. First issues, with the first word of line 33, p. 207, part No. 7 misprinted “actresses,” corrected in later editions to “ancestresses.” Also, Chapter XLVII wrongly numbered as Chapter XLVIII, corrected in the second issue. Nearly all ads present. Van Duzer 232.

Some light wear to wrappers. Very good condition, handsomely boxed.