THE HISTORY OF TOM JONES, A FOUNDLING, in four volumes, by Henry Fielding, published in London in 1782 by W. Strahan and J. Rivington Generally regarded a Fielding’s greatest work, this comic novel was first published in 1749, and was immediately popular and successful. Xx, 304, vii, 330, x, 288, xii, 347 All in full calf with green ribbon page markers, front & back covers gilt ruled, spines with 5 raised bands and gilt title. Unique frontispiece in all 4 volumes. All with a stamped ink lion rampant on the front pastedown, and the bookplate of Holbrook Jackson on the front free endpaper. George Holbrook Jackson (1874-1948) was a British journalist, writer and publisher, and one of the leading bibliophiles of his time. All volumes have worn outer & bottom edges, and rubbed corners. Pastedowns split from endpapers but textblock remains solid and securely bound to spine. Volume 1 - small loss to leather at bottom of spine and small closed tear to leather at top of spine. Front joint starting. Closed tear with old sewn repair p.143. Only the rare spot of foxing. No markings anywhere. Volume 2 - Stain to bottom margin p,35-36. Small faded stain (toning?) top margin pp.104-125. Faded foxing pp.147-158. No markings except two pencil marks to margins pp.18,19. Volume 3 –Faint stain to bottom margin pp. 109-113. Pencil mark to margins & underlining p.218 Volume 4 –Small rubbed dent to top edge of back cover. Tiny hole to p.20, 23. Faint small stain to top margin pp.157-165. Stain to mid-page pp.179-181. Faded foxing pp.195-202. No markings anywhere.
