In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First Surgeon and then a Captain of Several Ships.
THE FIRST PRINTING OF GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
Travels Into Several Remote Nations of the World In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First Surgeon and then a Captain of Several Ships.
Benj. Motte, 1726.
First edition, first printing (i.e. Teerink A). Frontispiece portrait of Gulliver in the second state, as usual, with vertical chain lines and the lettering around the oval frame. Two volumes (197 x 120mm), bound in contemporary calf with gilt ruled borders and gilt titles to the spine. Five engraved maps. Binding sometime neatly rebacked with some old repairs to the hinges and corners. Internally clean with occasional browning. An excellent, tall set of this landmark novel in contemporary state.
The author's masterpiece and landmark in the early development of the novel. The first printing was published on 28 October and sold out within a week and was quickly followed by two further printings in 1726, which are subtly different to the first printing, though bibliographically distinct as shown by Teerink in his bibliography of Swift, and referred to as Teerink AA and B issues. The work was immediately hailed as a classic,
"From the highest to the lowest, it is universally read, from the Cabinet-council to the Nursery" - John Gay
"Gulliver's Travels has given Swift an immortality beyond Temporary Fame" (PMM)
Teerink 290; PMM 185
Stock ID: 28173
£65,000.00
