The Fortunes of Nigel, Sir Walter Scott, 1822 first edition in three volumes

First edition of Sir Walter Scott's historical novel The Fortunes of Nigel, published anonymously in 1822 as the work of "The Author of Waverley". Set principally in London during the reign of James VI and I, the novel follows the young Scottish nobleman Nigel Olifaunt, Lord Glenvarloch, who travels to the royal court in an attempt to recover money owed to his family. His adventures lead him through the sharply contrasting worlds of the Jacobean court, the City of London and its criminal underworld, allowing Scott to combine romance and intrigue with a vivid portrait of early seventeenth-century society. Particularly memorable is the character of King James himself, portrayed with the mixture of learning, vanity, shrewdness and eccentricity for which he was renowned. This is the first edition in three volumes, retaining the original half-titles and the publisher's advertisements at the rear of the final volume.

The Fortunes of Nigel, by 'The Author of "Waverley, Kenilworth," &c' (Sir Walter Scott).

Printed for Archibald Constable and Co. Edinburgh; and Hurst, Robinson, and Co., London. 1822 first edition.

A good set of 3 full green calf leather hardbacks. Leather with some mottled markings and signs of wear. Spines a little sunned, with tooled gilt compartments, and decorative gilt borders to covers. Some bumping and scuffing to extremities. Some cracking to endpapers at inner hinges, but soundly bound.

Text pages are generally bright and clean with light scattered foxing. Marbled edges to text block - now considerably faded. Some page corner creases. Vol. II has marginal top corner tears from pp.121-150 (see photo), and 2 of those pages with some marginal edge tears. A couple of gatherings a little proud. Owner's name inscribed to title pages.

Text in English.

Vol. I: xlviii + 313pp; 

Vol. II: 334pp; and; 

Vol. III: 349pp + 6pp Publisher's advertisements at rear.

All volumes include original half titles.

Dimensions: each volume approximately 185mm high x 120mm wide x 25-28mm deep.

Weight: approximately 1270g (unpacked).