George Eliot [Mary Ann Evans] — Daniel Deronda

London, William Blackwood and Sons , 1876. First edition. Leather. The first edition of the first three volumes of 'Daniel Deronda', George Eliot's controversial final novel - the only one set int the Victorian society of her day. The first edition of George Eliot's final and most controversial novel, Daniel Deronda. This set comprises Volumes I-III of four volumes total needed.   Uniformly bound in contemporary quarter morocco, with burgundy cloth boards. Decorative endpapers. Each volume bound with the half title. Eliot's ambitious final statement weaves together two parallel stories: one following the financially-dependent marraige of Gwendolen Harleth, and the other following eponymous hero Daniel Deronda as he searches for his own identity whilst becoming drawn into London's Jewish community. The novel shocked readers and critics with its choice of a highly unusual contemporary theme: the position and prospects of Jews in British and European society. This set from the library of Major Thomas Picton Rose-Richards, who had served throughout the Great War, and had become a Mid-War MP for Breconshire before retiring and moving to Island House, in Laugharne. He was a well known racing driver and had entered Le Mans five times, finishing in third place in 1931, 1932 and 1933.  Uniformly bound in contemporary quarter morocco, with burgundy cloth boards. Externally, with rubbing to the extremities and minor marks to the boards. Slight fading to the spines and slight cocking to the spines of Vol I and II. Bookplate of one Thomas Picton Rose Richards to the front paste downs. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright and clean, with the occasional spots mostly concentrated to the first and last few leaves. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .