The Newcomes

London: Bradbury and Evans, 1854-1855 . First edition. Leather. Very Good. 9" by 6". Richard Doyle. The first edition in book form of this novel from William Makepeace Thackery, illustrated with plates by Richard Doyle. The first edition in book form, with volume I published in 1854, and volume II in 1855. The work was also published serially in 23 parts between 1854 and 1856. Thackeray's novel chronicles the affairs of a family of merchants, bankers, and petty aristocrats.Illustrated with an engraved frontispiece and title page to each volume, alongside a further forty-four plates, and further vignette illustrations by Richard Doyle. Collated, complete.Edited by 'Arthur Pendennis,' the protagonist in another novel by Thackeray, Pendennis, who is also the narrator to this story. With the bookplate of Joseph Martyn to each front pastedown, and the bookplate of D.B. Anderson to the front free endpaper of volume I. Former owner's inscriptions to title page heads.In critical commentary The Newcomes has been regarded as a useful source to understand Victorian culture, with Thackeray mentioning several poets, painters, novelists and events of the time. In half calf bindings, with marbled paper covered boards. Light rubbing to back strips, with boards age toned and bumping to board perimeters. Hinges of volume I strained, but firmly held. Bookplates to front pastedowns, and front free endpaper of volume I. Internally, firmly bound. Pages age toned, with handling marks and spotting throughout. Plates significantly age toned, with significant spotting and foxing to plates. Former owner's inscriptions to title page heads. Very Good