The History of Pendennis, William Makepeace Thackeray, Bradbury and Evans, 1849 1st edition

A complete 1849 first edition set of The History of Pendennis by William Makepeace Thackeray, with all plates present. First published in serial form between 1848 and 1850, the novel traces the life and development of Arthur Pendennis from youth into adulthood, and is often regarded as partly autobiographical. Exploring themes of ambition, social aspiration and moral growth, Thackeray combines satire with keen observation of Victorian society, creating a richly detailed portrait of the literary and social world of his time. Though sometimes overshadowed by Vanity Fair, Pendennis remains a substantial and important work within his oeuvre.

The History of Pendennis; His Fortunes and Misfortunes, His Friends and His Greatest Enemy. By William Makepeace Thackeray. With Illustrations on Steel and Wood by the Author.

Published by Bradbury and Evans, London. 1849 First Edition.

A good first edition set of hardbacks. With red leather spine and corners. The spine gilt tooled with raised bands and burgundy and brown morocco title labels. Spine darkened. Boards with feathered marble paper. Front endpapers cracked at gutter. Covers scuffed and bumped with wear to extremities. Joints are rubbed. Marbled edges to text block.

With curl marble design endpapers. Text is generally good throughout - perfectly legible but with foxed areas - particularly where there are Plates. Endpapers and first and last few pages with significant spotting. Soundly bound. With illustrations in text, as well as Plates.

An imperfect set, but still a very accessible entry-level first edition set of a classic work by Thackeray.

Text in English.

Vol I: viii + 384pp + 23 Plates; and; 

Vol II: xii + 372pp + 23 Plates (all Plates present as called for in both volumes).