The Newcomes Memoirs of a Most Respectable Family

London: Bradbury and Evans, 1864. Leather. Good. 7.5" by 5". William Makepeace Thackeray . An uncommon and illustrated copy of William Makepeace Thackeray's serial novel, The Newcomes. Delightfully illustrated throughout, with several engraved plates. Published in one volume. Perhaps one of the novel's greatest strengths is that it contains hundreds of references to the popular and educated culture of the time and thus gives a better idea than most contemporary novels of what it was like to live in England then — almost a miniature education in Victorian life. Thackeray mentions poets, painters, novelists (some of the characters are reading Oliver Twist), politics, and other people, events and things both familiar and obscure to the 21st-century reader — and does so in a natural way that enhances the story. Rebound in a half calf binding with cloth covered boards, and gilt detailing to the spine. Externally, lightly rubbed with minor wear to the extremities. Backstrip is slightly splitting to the head of the spine. Both joints are starting. Internally, firmly bound and bright, with light instances of foxing- predominantly to the plates. Binder's label to the front pastedown. Good