The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane, 2 Vols, Illustrated by Jean Gigoux, 1836

A popular picaresque classic of European literature, The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane was originally written in French by Alain-René Lesage and first published between 1715 and 1735. This English translation – initially anonymously issued but long attributed to the celebrated novelist Tobias Smollett – helped bring the roguish exploits of Gil Blas to a broad British readership. The work follows its titular hero through a series of vivid misadventures, satirising social pretensions, clerical hypocrisy, and the follies of power. This well illustrated edition demonnstrates the enduring popularity of the translation during the 18th  & 19th  centuries.

The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane. Translated from the French of Le Sage by T. Smollett, M.D., and Illustrated by Jean Gigoux. In Two volumes, complete.

Published by J.J. Dubochet, Charles Tilt, and R. Hooper, London, 1836.

Provenance: Armorial Bookplate of "William Webb Hayward" to first pastedown.

A very good set of two full leather hardbacks. Covers with tooled gilt and blind stamped border designs, and the spine with gilt tooled decoration (now faded and rubbed). The spine also has raised bands and each volume with 2 later burgundy gilt morocco title labels. Covers with some rubbing and wear, but all soundly bound. Gilt dentelles to interior. Leather is sunned to tan colour to spine and extremities whilst the boards retain a reddish brown hue.

Text is bright and clear throughout and the illustrations are bright and attractive. Vol I with some light scattered foxing throughout and Vol II has very few blemishes. Gilt edges to text block. An attractive set.

Language: English
Vol. I: 486 pp.; Vol. II: 478 pp. Both volumes with numerous illustrations in the text.

Dimensions: Each volume approximately 245 × 165 × 35 mm.
Weight: Approximately 2.1 kg (unpacked).