London: Bradbury and Evans, 1853. Hardcover. A handsome copy of this popular sporting book by Surtees. Historian Norman Gash wrote of Surtees: "Surtees's range was limited, his style often clumsy and colloquial. Even in the better-constructed novels the plots are loose and discursive. Nevertheless, his sharp, authentic descriptions of the hunting field have retained their popularity among fox-hunters.... Among a wider public he is known for his mordant observations on men, women, and manners; his entertaining array of eccentrics, rakes, and rogues; his skill in the construction of lively dialogue (a matter over which he took great pains); and his happy genius for unforgettable and quotable phrases. Although his proper place among Victorian novelists is not easy to determine, his power as a creative artist was recognized, among professional writers, by Thackeray, Kipling, Arnold Bennett, and Siegfried Sassoon, and earned the tributes of laymen as distinguished and diverse as William Morris, Lord Rosebery, and Theodore Roosevelt." His later novels such as this one were enhanced by the delightful illustrations by the renowned John Leech. This book has thirteen hand colored full page steel engravings and numerous wood engravings throughout the text. Bound in full dark red leather by the binders Lloyd, Wallis & Lloyd. With gilt rulings on covers and spine with six compartments with gilt titling and floral ornaments. Leather is somewhat rubbed, worn along spine edges, and lightly bumped. With marbled endpapers and gilt dentelles. All edges gilt. Front hinge is cracked but text block is tight. Interior pages are generally clean and bright with light aging to margins. Very good condition. Octavo. 408 pages. LIT/110521. Very Good.

Item #35428

Price: $125.00