The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane (1822)
Description
The History of Gil Blas of Santillane (1822)
by Alain-René Lesage
6.5 x 4. In English. Printed for Hurst, Robinson, and Co., Cheapside, London, 1822. New Edition. Four Volumes. Complete. Very attractive polished calf with bright gilt details and turn ins to boards. Five compartments and four raised bands to spines elaborately gilt in compartments featuring titles and extensive scrolling floral pieces. Front pastedown with pictorial bookplate in Volume I, inscribed, “Ex Libris Edward S, Thompson,” with the same owner’s name neatly penned on front endpapers of subsequent volumes. Engravings rather foxed, a little darkening and very minor intermittent foxing in text, otherwise an excellent copy internally. Slightest hint of wear to extremities with very attractive marbled pastedowns, turn ins, end papers and edges. The bindings especially bright, and the text with virtually no signs of use. (The image of the author we included on our website is NOT in the book.)
Le Sage (1668-1747) began his literary career translating Spanish works and thus came to appreciate the form, pioneered in Spain, of the picaresque novel, recounting the adventures of a likable rogue and satirizing the foibles of the times. In middle age, he turned to creating his own theatrical works and novels, and his acknowledged masterpiece is "Gil Blas." The story is set in Spain, and the feckless hero suffers many adventures and essays several careers (physician, courtier) before he learns compassion and achieves tranquility in a countrified life. Engravings from paintings by Robert Smirke.
Price: $495
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Inventory Number: 16085
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