c1891 Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour

Description

Colour Plates, Illustrated, Pleasing Copy, Publishers' Original Binding

Robert Smith Surtees was an English editor, novelist and sporting writer best known for his contributions to the first English sporting periodical to devote itself to every type of sport, 'The Sporting Magazine'. Surtees launched his own sporting magazine entitled the 'New Sporting Magazine' in 1831, contributing the comic papers which appeared as 'Jorrocks' Jaunts and Jollities' in 1838. Jorrocks, the eponymous, vulgar and artful sporting cockney grocer was a great success with the public and is often considered as one of the great comic characters of English Literature, However, another work that appeared within Surtees magazine (containing an equally humorous titular hero) was this text, 'Mr Sponge's Sporting Tour'. Following the fortunes and exploits of a man determined to better himself at the perpetual expense of others, this story is often regarded as Surtees's best work. This edition was printed for subscribers 'from the plates of the original ed. issued by Bradbury, Agnew & Co'. This copy is undated, dated using Copac. Copiously illustrated throughout with black and white in-text wood engraved illustrations by Surtees' long-term collaborator John Leech. This copy also features fourteen coloured steel engraved plates, each with a protective tissue guard. Plate 'Mr Sponge Declares Himself' has been rebound as the frontispiece.