Gerald Griffin — The Collegians

London, Saunders and Otley, 1829 . First edition. Hardback. Volumes I and II of the first edition, and volume III of the second edition, of Gerald Griffin's novel about the murder of a young Irish Catholic girl. Very scarce in all early editions, present here are the first editions of volumes I and II of Griffin's novel, and the second edition of volume III.The work of Irish-born novelist, poet and playwright Gerald Griffin.Griffin's work is based on a trial that he had reported on, involving the murder of a young Irish Catholic girl by a Protestant Anglo-Irish man.Lacking the original half titles.Ink stamps to each front pastedown.'The Collegians' served as the inspiration for Dion Boucicault's play 'The Colleen Bawn', which became one of the most popular plays of the 19th century In half calf bindings with marbled paper covered boards, and with spine labels renewed. Light rubbing to boards. Volume I front board and first gathering detached and present. Volume I rear hinge strained and lightly tender. Rear board of volume II detached but present. Front hinge of volume II starting to head, but firmly held. Tail of front joint of volume III starting but firmly held. Rear hinge strained but firmly held. Stamp to front pastedowns. Volumes I and II firmly bound, with two gatherings of volume III working loose. Pages clean and bright. Good Only . Ill.: None. Good Only .