Amelia.

Fielding, Henry

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London: Printed for A. Millar, in the Strand, 1752. Four small octavo volumes. xii, 285; viii, 262; ix, 323; vii, 296 pp. First edition, second state with the corrected line on page 191 of the third volume. Fielding's last novel was printed in a rather large first printing of 5000 copies, as his publisher had hoped to capitalize on the positive reception to Tom Jones. However, the book's sales fell off after the first day. While not an uncommon book, copies in boards are exceptionally difficult to find, as most were placed into leather bindings. It has been surmised that such bindings were continental; and of all the copies of Amelia that have sold at auction in the last twenty-five years, only one was in boards. This copy is in contemporary tan speckled boards with gilt-stamped rose calf labels. Edges speckled red. Moderate rubbing to extremities, hinges firm. Text clean with no traces of foxing. In near fine condition, with linen drop-back box. (Rothschild 853). (Item ID: 6182)