The history and adventures of an atom. In two volumes [First Issue]
by [SMOLLETT, Tobias George, 1721-1771]
- Used
- Fine
- first
- Condition
- Fine
- Seller
-
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Printed for Robinson and Roberts, No. 25, in Pater-noster Row, 1769. First Edition. Full Calf. Fine. First Issue (with title page mis-dated 1749) of this satire of English politics during the Seven Years' War. 12mo: [iii]-viii,227,[1]; [2 ],190pp. Half title in volume II only. A variant, with title page correctly dated [MDCCLXIX], is generally presumed (by Rothschild, for one) to be a later state. Newly bound by Fitterer in period-style speckled calf, spine in six compartments divided by raised bands ruled in gilt, green morocco letter piece gilt, top edge gilt, end papers renewed. A nearly pristine copy, the pages very lightly and evenly toned. Rothschild 1923. NCBEL II, p. 963. ESTC Citation No. T55310. Generally accepted to have been written by Smollett, but without conclusive proof of his authorship. "There is no reference to it in his letters or those of his correspondents, but it was attributed to him in the London Chronicle (8-11 April 1769). With echoes of the humour of Rabelais, it is a rumbustious, at times scatological, satire on British political life, transposed to Japan. [The 'atom' is the supposed narrator, a witness to the events and somehow able to communicate them to modern listeners. ] It may be that Smollett, sensing that his remaining days were few, revived his vituperative energies to target enemies, including Pitt, Cumberland, Mansfield, and Wilkes. If his, it was a pungent valediction. He took his leave of Hume in an affectionate letter of 31 August 1768 before going into ‘a perpetual exile' (Letters, 136)." (ODNB) A Key to the pseudonyms is given by Thomas Seccombe in the bibliographical introduction to vol. XII of Smollett's Works. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).
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Details
- Bookseller
- Fine Editions Ltd (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- BB0596
- Title
- The history and adventures of an atom. In two volumes [First Issue]
- Author
- [SMOLLETT, Tobias George, 1721-1771]
- Format/Binding
- Full Calf
- Book Condition
- Used - Fine
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First Edition
- Publisher
- Printed for Robinson and Roberts, No. 25, in Pater-noster Row
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1769
- Bookseller catalogs
- HAND-PRESS PERIOD;
Terms of Sale
Fine Editions Ltd
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About the Seller
Fine Editions Ltd
Biblio member since 2005
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
About Fine Editions Ltd
Fine Editions specializes in First Editions of English and American Literature, Landmarks In Science and the History Of Ideas, Natural History and Color-Plate books, Travel and Voyages, and books on Gardening and Landscape Design. Our hallmark is condition: with few exceptions (mostly relating to our antiquarian stock), all books sold are in Near Fine or better conditions and all are highly collectible.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Later State
- used in book collecting to refer to a book from a later run of a first edition, generally distinguished by a change in some part...
- Half Title
- The blank front page which appears just prior to the title page, and typically contains only the title of the book, although, at...
- Raised Band(s)
- Raised bands refer to the ridges that protrude slightly from the spine on leather bound books. The bands are created in the...
- Top Edge Gilt
- Top edge gilt refers to the practice of applying gold or a gold-like finish to the top of the text block (the edges the pages...
- 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...
- Title Page
- A page at the front of a book which may contain the title of the book, any subtitles, the authors, contributors, editors, the...
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- 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...
- Calf
- Calf or calf hide is a common form of leather binding. Calf binding is naturally a light brown but there are ways to treat the...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- 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...