Old Kensington

Leipzig: Bernhard Tauchnitz, 1873. First edition. Leather. Very Good. 6" by 4.5". None. A very smartly bound copy of this novel by Anne Thackeray, daughter of popular satirical author William Makepeace Thackeray. The first European edition of this work. Two volumes bound as one. Collated, complete. This book is from the Tauchnitz 'Collection of British Authors' which started in 1842 and continued for almost a century. The collection eventually comprised of 5370 volumes. Old Kensington is volumes 1314 and 1315 of this series. This is the first edition of this work published by Tauchnitz, an edition published by Smith Elder and Co appeared in the same year. Christian Bernhard Tauchnitz founded his Leipzig publishing firm in 1837 at the age of 20. His specialism was publishing foreign language books, particularly English. He began his firm at a defining period for English literature, as popular authors were producing a wider range of work in differing genres and forms. Tauchnitz built a good reputation with many leading British and American authors which lead him to be the principal publisher of English Language books in continental Europe from 1840 to 1940. In some instances authors sent Tauchnitz their proofs in order for them to be published at the same time as the British publisher, or in some cases before. In nineteenth century Britain, an author's work could be published by several different publishing houses leading to the production of their novels in a variety of formats. By Tauchnitz owning the publishing rights to nearly all the leading British authors for the first time there was a consistent format. Prior owner's inscription to the front pastedown, John Paley 1873. Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie was highly regarded as an author. She became a central figure in the late Victorian literary scene due to her captivating novels and folk tale collections. In a half calf binding with paper covered boards. Externally, very smart with light rubbing to the extremities and to the raised bands. Prior owner's inscription to the front pastedown, John Paley 1873. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright. Scattered spots to pages, heavier to the first and last few pages. Very Good