c1870-c1892 Selected Works of Robert Smith Surtees: Mr Sponge's Sporting Tour; Plain or Ringlets?; Hawbuck Grange or, The Sporting Adventures of Thomas Scott, Esq.; "Ask Mamma;" Or, The Richest Commoner in England; Handley Cross; or, Mr. Jorrocks's Hunt

Description

Decorative Binding, Early Edition, Illustrated, Leather Binding

This set of five novels are in a beautiful, uniform half calf binding, with gilt detailing to the spine and marbled boards.

This collection is comprised of 'Mr Sponge's Sporting Tour' (c1870), 'Plain or Ringlets?' (c1875), 'Hawbuck Grange' (c1888), '"Ask Mama"' (c1892) and 'Handley Cross' (c1892). These are all early editions of the work. 'Mr Sponge's Sporting Tour' was first published in 1853, 'Plain or Ringlets?' was first published in 1858-60, 'Hawbuck Grange' in 1847, '"Ask Mama"' in 1858 and 'Handley Cross' in 1853. These novels have been dated using Jisc, from editions of the works held at the University of Kent, the University of St Andrews, The University of Sheffield and the University of Reading.

Robert Smith Surtees was an English novelist and sporting writer, best known for his creation of the fictional character, Jorrocks, a somewhat loveable cockney grocer with a love of sport. Jorrocks features in 'Handley Cross', amongst other works of Smith. Surtees wrote eight works of fiction, including these five.

All the works in this collection feature eccentric and varied characters, typica of Smith's work, including the mischievous Mr Spongeworth from 'Mr Sponge's Sporting Tour', hopeless Tom Scott from 'Hawbuck Grange', and 'fine Billy Pringle', who is described as 'not quite a gentleman' in '"Ask Mamma"'.

As with most of Surtees' later novels, these five volumes were illustrated by British caricaturist and illustrator, John Leech. Leech was best known for his work in Punch Magazine, where he combined light humour with political satire.

With beautiful illustrations throughout, including seventeen coloured plates in 'Handley Cross', twelve in 'Plain or Ringlets?', thirteen in 'Ask Mamma', thirteen in 'Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour' and eight in 'Hawbuck Grange. Collated, complete.

With an ink inscription of Walter Jones, alongside a deer stamp to the verso of the front endpaper of each novel.