SMITH, Albert. THE STRUGGLES AND ADVENTURES OF CHRISTOPHER TADPOLE At Home and Abroad. London: Richard Bentley, 1848. 1st edition. pp. xi, 512.,Thick 8vo, Richard Albert Smith (1816-1860) was a novelist, playwright, and showman who qualified first as a surgeon and apothecary, but segued into a writer of semi-fictional pieces for the Medical Times. In 1841 he moved to London and became a journalist, known for his versatility, although his forte always was humour. His first play was produced in 1842, and thereafter he wrote numerous extravaganzas and adapted plays for various theatres. He was, for a time, the dramatic critic for the Illustrated London News. This title is a Dickensian tale of a young boy (the title character), who faces various tests and travails as he travels about England. The 33 full-page plates by Leech are buy typically delightful. The book is bound in 3/4 wine-red grained calf, with the spine in compartments and the author and title stamped in gilt. The foredges and endpapers are marbled. The boards are rubbed at all extremities, with some soiling. The hinges are cracked but the binding is tight. There is some foxing throughout, confined mainly to the margins. Overall, a good copy in a presentable binding. Hardcover.
All plates present, although the sixth plate, incorrectly shown in the List as being at p. 46, is actually at p. 72. (#9900002327)$60.00 USD
Product code: 1848, 1st Edition, The Struggles and buy Adventures of Christopher Tadpole at Home and Abroad by Albert Smith