Handsome three-volume first edition of Horace Smith's celebrated essays and comic tales, preserved in contemporary polished calf from the distinguished library of bibliophile John Waldie.

Bibliographic Details

Author: Horace Smith (1779–1849)
Title: Gaieties and Gravities: A Series of Essays, Comic Tales, and Fugitive Vagaries, Now First Collected
Place of Publication: London
Publisher: Henry Colburn
Date / Edition: 1825. First Edition
Pagination: Three volumes: viii, 353; iv, 336; iv, 346 pp. (Volume I retaining the half-title)
Binding: Contemporary full polished calf, spines gilt in compartments with red and green morocco labels, marbled endpapers and edges
Size: Octavo (19.2 × 12.5 cm)
Provenance: Engraved armorial bookplates and library catalogue labels of John Waldie to each volume

Condition

Very Good. Contemporary polished calf with light rubbing and surface wear consistent with age. Front board of Volume I beginning to weaken along the upper hinge, but remaining attached. Gilt tooling bright. A couple of small nicks to the spine labels. Internally exceptionally clean, crisp and bright throughout. Please examine gallery images closely or request a more detailed condition report if required.

Description

A handsome first edition of Horace Smith's most entertaining literary miscellany, bringing together essays, comic tales and whimsical sketches that established him as one of the finest humorists of the Regency period. Published in three substantial volumes, the work showcases Smith's effortless movement between satire, literary parody, social observation and imaginative storytelling.

Today, Horace Smith is best remembered as the author of the rival sonnet to Shelley's "Ozymandias", composed during the famous friendly competition between the two poets in 1817. His close friendships with Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron and many of the leading literary figures of the day place him firmly within the heart of Regency literary society.

The title page proudly describes the author as one of the writers of Rejected Addresses, the celebrated collection of literary parodies written with his brother James Smith that became one of the great publishing sensations of the early nineteenth century. That same wit and stylistic versatility are evident throughout the present work.

This set is made especially desirable by its distinguished provenance, retaining the attractive armorial bookplates of John Waldie, the noted bibliophile, diarist and theatrical enthusiast whose important library contained many of the finest literary works of the Regency period. Association copies from Waldie's library are increasingly sought after by collectors.

The books remain in elegant contemporary polished calf bindings with richly gilt spines and contrasting morocco labels, forming an attractive example of an early nineteenth-century three-decker exactly as first issued for the library of a gentleman collector.

Notes

An appealing first edition combining Regency literature, Shelley association, distinguished provenance and handsome contemporary bindings.

Particularly desirable for collectors of Percy Bysshe Shelley, Romantic literature, Regency satire, Rejected Addresses, association copies and fine English bindings.