FELIX HOLT THE RADICAL

Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1866. FIRST EDITION. 197 x 123 mm. (7 3/4 x 5 7/8"). Three volumes..
Very attractive late 19th century polished calf by Riviere & Son (stamp-signed on verso of front free endpaper), covers with triple gilt fillet border, rosettes at corners, raised bands, spines gilt in compartments with vase of flowers at center surrounded by small tools, leafy sprays at corners, one red and one green morocco label, turn-ins with floral gilt roll, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt. Front pastedowns with morocco bookplate of Robert Hoe. Baker & Ross A8.1. ◆A hint of sunning to spines and to half-inch at head of rear cover of volume I, but AN ESPECIALLY FINE SET--the text clean, fresh, and bright, and the bindings unworn.

This is the handsomely bound Robert Hoe copy of a celebrated three-decker centering on a political election during the Reform Bill controversies of the 1830s. It is atypical as the author's only political novel, but typical in that it presents an engrossing sociological analysis through a close scrutiny of the provincial middle class. Characterized by Lord David Cecil as the first modern novelist, George Eliot (born Mary Ann Evans, 1819-80) brought to her work an impressive intellect that left a profound mark on the evolution of British fiction. After her, "the English novel would be not only the product of a sensitive observer and natural artist, but also the vehicle for ideas based upon a conscious rational philosophy." (Day) The beautiful bindings by the leading English workshop Riviere and the sparkling condition here are characteristic of books from the collection of our earlier owner Robert Hoe (1839-1911), founding member and first president of the Grolier Club. According to Beverly Chew, Hoe's library was "the finest [America] has ever contained." Hoe acquired illuminated manuscripts, early printing, French and English literature, and very fine bindings; when his library was sold in 1911-12, it fetched nearly $2 million, a record that held until the Streeter sale more than 50 years later. If a book has the Hoe bookplate, one can be assured that it was chosen with discrimination and will almost certainly be in as fine a state of preservation as could be hoped for..