Ivanhoe; A Romance
Price: $1,750.00
Hard Cover. Edinburgh: Printed for Archibald Constable and Co., 1820. First Edition. Good.
Three volumes. First edition, first issue, with pages 159-306 in Vol. I misnumbered as 151-298. Bound with all fly-titles and half-titles present, and 3 pp. of advertisements to rear of Vol. III. Finely bound in contemporary half brown calf, with marbled paper-covered boards, and spines lettered and ruled in gilt. Good, with heavy flaking to spines, outer spine joints cracked on all volumes, some rubbing to boards, possible insect damage to some corners, contemporary owner John Tawse's name stamped in black to front boards, Tawse's bookplate to front pastedowns of all three volumes, some offsetting to endpapers, a closed tear to front flyleaf in Vol. II, and light occasional spotting and soiling to pages. Overall, a good copy of Scott's magnum opus, scarce in a contemporary binding. Todd & Bowden 140Aa. Widely considered Sir Walter Scott's greatest work, Ivanhoe is a historical novel set in late 12th century England during the reign of Richard I. Specifically, Ivanhoe, set in 1194 shortly after the Third Crusade, presents the development of modern England as the result of the enmity between the Saxons and Normans. The mythical text is narrated by the fictional protagonist Wilfred of Ivanhoe, a Saxon, and includes many notable historical figures including Richard the Lionheart, Robin Hood and his Merry Men, and others. An instant bestseller with resounding literary significance, Ivanhoe sold out of its first printing of 10,000 copies within two weeks and was credited with helping popularize and shape the genre of historical fiction. Item #SWS115
