The Last Chronicle of Barset

London: Smith, Elder and Co, 1867. First edition. Leather. Very Good. 9" by 6". George H. Thomas. The first edition in book form of the conclusion of Anthony Trollope's Barsetshire Chronicles, illustrated throughout and in smart signed full calf bindings. The first edition in book form of this work from Anthony Trollope, the sixth and final work in Trollope's 'Chronicles of Barsetshire' series. First published in thirty-two sixpenny parts between December 1866 and July 1867, these first editions in book form were published in March and July 1867.Present in two volumes in full calf signed bindings, the novel is set in Trollope's fictional county of Barsetshire and deploys characters from the earlier novels, whilst concentrating on the personnel associated with the cathedral. In his autobiography, Trollope regards this work as "the best novel I have written."Illustrated with thirty two plates and further vignette illustrations from George H. Thomas, a prominent Victorian era engraver. Collated, complete.With the binder's label of Hersant to the verso of the front free endpaper of each volume, and the armorial bookplate of Arthur Palliser to each front pastedown. With the publisher's right of translation asserted to verso of each title page, and printer's imprint correctly worded to tail of page 384 to each volume. Complying with first issue issue points found in Sadlier's 'Trollope, A Bibliography' (1964). Bound without the single leaves of advertisements called for to the rear of volume II, unsurprising as this work has been rebound. Sadlier also notes that this final leaf of advertisements 'can be irregular in its appearance'.An excellent first edition of the final instalment of Trollope's 'Chronicles of Barsetshire', a series of novels praised for their insight into the lives Victorian era clergy and gentry. In signed full calf bindings, with gilt detailing to back strips. Fading to the leather of the back strips, with light rubbing to back strip tails. Light rubbing to board perimeters, with a more significant loss to the leather of the rear board of volume I. Light discolouration to head of front board of volume II. Armorial bookplate to front pastedown of each volume. Binder's label to verso of front free endpaper of each volume. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Very Good