THE ADVENTURES OF GIL BLAS OF SANTILLANE by LE SAGE, ALAIN RENE - 1802

London: Vernor and Hood, 1802. Three volumes. Translated from the French by T.S. Smollett. The first Smollett translation was in 1748. Signed bindings by Bayntun of Bath. Each front cover has a different character with inlaid leathers in multiple colors. Ornate border designs in gilt with corner florets. Panelled spines with gilt designs and lettering. Inner dentelles and marbled endpapers. Wood engraved tail pieces. Gold round book-plate of Fred Robison Heryer on front pastedown of each volume. Mr. Heryer lived in Lawrence, Kansas and owned a brokerage business in Kansas City. All edges gilt. Front joints weak but intact. Marginal brown stain on pp.97-98 in Volume 2. Paper repair to bottom fore-edge of p.321 in Volume 3. This is an extra-illustrated set with the original ten full-page plates, WHICH HAVE BEEN HAND-COLORED. They were originally in black and white. An additional 35 plates have been inserted, mounted on heavy white stock. The extra plates were drawn by Smirke and Cruikshank. Le Sage (1668-1747) was a French novelist and playwright. He first published this picaresque novel in 1715. An elegant edition of the classic of French literature. Housed in a custom slipcase. 399, 392, 420pp.. Later Edition. Full Cranberry Morocco. Gentle Wear Only/No Jacket. Octavo.