The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane; A new translation by the author of "Roderick Random."
London: Printed for T. Osborne [and others], 1766. Third edition of the Smollett translation (first published in 1749). 12mo. 4 volumes: xii, 312; iv, 263; vii, 292; viii, 276 pp. Illustrated with a copper-engraved frontispiece to each volume and 29 other copper-engraved plates. For his own fiction, Smollett "preferred to adapt to his purpose the 'picaresque' method of Le Sage ... Smollett's hero, like 'Gil Blas' recounts a life of varied adventures, which he experiences in the company of a servant" (DNB, from a long entry). CBEL II, p. 525. Lowndes Vol. II, p. 1343: "A translation of great merit ... the English author is true to the sense manner and spirit of the original, and is often extremely happy in the interchange of particular idioms" (quoted from Tytler). A little foxing, but a very good copy. Later tan polished calf (rubbed, especially joints and spine ends), gilt, marbled endpapers, leather labels and gilt rules and ornaments between raised bands on spine, aall edges gilt, by Zaehnsdorf. (#5970). Item #58832
Price: $600.00