George Eliot [Mary Ann Evans] — Adam Bede

Edinburgh, Blackwood and Sons, 1859. First edition. Cloth. The first edition of George Eliot's triple decker first novel, scarce in the original cloth binding. The first edition in the very scarce original publisher's cloth. With the original half titles to each volume and publisher's catalogue to the rear of volume III, and 'The Rights of Translation is Reserved' printed to the lower title page of each volume, as called for. Some copies printed without this statement, no priority given. Adam Bede is the first novel of English author George Eliot, the pseudonym of Mary Ann Evans. Set in the rural, quiet community of Hayslope, the novel follows four young characters caught in a love "rectangle". This work is renowned as Eliot's charming first novel, which cemented the author as a pillar of the English literary canon. Blind embossed stamp of A. J. V. Radford to the front free of volumes I and II and half title of volume III. Sadler 812.  Bound in the original publisher's cloth binding. Externally, presentable, and a rare survival. Some bumping to extremities, pulled a bit to heads with some loss to vol 1. Some marking to front boards of vol II, less so to III. Minor archival work to back strip of vol 2, rear joint starting but firm. Binding of vol I however fully disbound from text block. Front hinge vol II very fragile, held by upper webbing with rear hinge strained. Vol III with front hinge strained, though firm. Rear hinge failed however. Blind embossed private ex libris stamp to front free endpapers as pictured on vol I and II and half title vol III. Internally, generally firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. The odd spot. Slight age toning to page perimeters, a bit more prominent to end papers, half titles and final leaves. Good Only . Ill.: None. Good Only .