The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

£125 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

A pocket-sized 'Cooke Edition' embellished with six black and white plates across two volumes. The Expedition of Humphry Clinker was the last of the picaresque novels of Tobias Smollett, although anonymously credited in this edition as 'the author of Roderic Random'. It is considered by many to be his best and funniest work. Published in London on 17 June 1771, it is an epistolary novel, presented in the form of letters written by six different characters. The author's own travels in Scotland, France and Italy helped provide inspiration for the plot. Two volumes; 12mo (14.5 x 9.5 cm); black and white frontispiece engravings to Vols. I and II with six further engraved plates in black and white across both, some damp-staining throughout with heavy spotting to prelims, large brown splotches to pages 34 - 35 of Vol. I, text generally legible, ownership inscription in pencil to front pastedown of Vol. I and to back pastedown of Vol. II ; full mottled calf with some cracking to both boards, splits to upper joints but still holding, corners slightly bumped, contrasting black morocco lettering-piece to spine, spine decorated in gilt, spine of Vol. I slightly chipped, slight cracking to both spines; 214, 231 pp.

• Binding: Hardcover

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