1766 12 vol. set, The Works of Henry Fielding (including Tom Jones). Provenance

A handsome 12 volume complete set of the Works of Henry Fielding, including his classic work Tom Jones, printed in 1766. Provenance of the Sixth Duke of Portland, likely from the Titchfield Library.

About the Literature -

When Henry Fielding was 11, his mother died. A suit for custody was brought by his grandmother against his charming but irresponsible father, Lt. Gen. Edmund Fielding. The settlement placed Henry in his grandmother's care, although he continued to see his father in London. In 1725, Henry tried to abduct his cousin, Sarah Andrews, while she was on her way to church. To avoid prosecution, he fled. In 1728, he travelled to Leiden to study classics and law at the university. However, lack of money obliged him to return to London and he began writing for the theatre. Some of his work was savagely critical of the government of Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole.

Fielding never stopped writing political satire and satires of current arts and letters. The Tragedy of Tragedies (for which Hogarth designed the frontispiece) was, for example, quite successful as a printed play. He also contributed a number of works to journals of the day. He wrote for Tory periodicals, usually under the name "Captain Hercules Vinegar". Fielding continued to air his liberal and anti-Jacobite views in satirical articles and newspapers in the late 1730s and early 1740s. Almost by accident he took to writing novels in 1741, angered by Samuel Richardson's success with Pamela. His first big success was an anonymous parody of that: Shamela. This satire follows the model of the famous Tory satirists of the previous generation, Jonathan Swift and John Gay, in particular.

About Henry Fielding –

Henry Fielding (22 April 1707 – 8 October 1754) was an English novelist and dramatist known for his rich, earthy humour and satirical prowess, and as the author of the picaresque novel Tom Jones. Additionally, he holds a significant place in the history of law enforcement, having used his authority as a magistrate to found (with his half-brother John) what some have called London's first police force, the Bow Street Runners.

Provenance –

6th Duke of Portland (1857 –1943), known as William Cavendish-Bentinck until 1879, was a British landowner, courtier, and Conservative politician. He notably served as Master of the Horse between 1886 and 1892 and again between 1895 and 1905. The Duke was a Lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards, later a member of Parliament and became a member of the Privy Council. He was also a trustee to the British Museum.

Physical Attributes –

Each measures 17.7 x 10.8 cm. Set measures 32.5 cm in width. Complete set of 12. In calf. Five spines, with gilt decoration in compartments; title on red morocco on one compartment. Crown and P for “Portland” on front board. Ex Libris of the Sixth Duke of Portland on each pastedown.

Condition –

Repaired, likely by the Duke of Portland’s binder. Original spine retained. Cracked spines. Some cracked joints. Shelf wear with occasional scuffs, boards sometimes exposed at edges. Top edge of text blocks (paper) discolored from dust/age. Ex Libris on paste down of each book. Pencil number above Ex Libris in each. Pencil date at top of title page on each. Often another pencil number on rear paste down. I flipped through the books and find no writing or tears, only the occasional dog eared page. Foxing is very occasional. The books are handsome, sound, and sporting great patina. They will make a welcome addition to any library.