A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY THROUGH FRANCE AND ITALY. BY MR. YORICK

London: Printed for T. Becket and P. A. De Hondt, 1768. FIRST EDITION. 160 x 100 mm. (6 1/4 x 4"). With the half titles and subscribers' list. Two volumes..
Attractive contemporary tree calf, covers bordered by gilt fillet, smooth spines divided into panels by gilt Greek key roll, one black and one red morocco label. With an engraved coat of arms in the text. Cross, pp. 603-04; Rothschild 1972; Tinker 1978. ◆Small abrasion to one morocco label on second volume, joints and extremities just faintly rubbed, occasional mild foxing or offsetting in text bed, other trivial defects, but A FINE CONTEMPORARY COPY, clean and fresh internally, in unrestored bindings showing very little wear.

This is an extremely pleasing unrestored contemporary copy of the first printing of a major work in the canon of Laurence Sterne (1713-68). In 1762, Sterne's poor health forced him to leave England for France and Italy, where his fame as the author of "Tristram Shandy" made for a welcome reception. The present work is the literary product of those travels, and is still satisfying to read. Unlike many travel books, the present work focuses less on landmarks and scenery than on encounters and anecdotes (occasionally erotic) involving persons of all ranks and many professions. It was long a mainstay on the shelves of country house libraries; our set likely spent most of its existence in such a refuge..