Silas Marner.: The Weaver of Raveloe.

Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood and Sons,, 1861. In Carter's more elaborate binding "A" First edition. In the composition of Silas Marner, Eliot "experienced much less depression and fewer delays than was usual for her... With its happy ending, its legendary plot of the miser who turns into a philanthropist and finds happiness in adopting a child, it is different from her other novels, while sharing their humour and breadth of understanding" (ODNB). Published on 2 April 1861, Silas Marner proved a success, resulting in 8,000 copies in five separate printings in 1861. "Its popular success was a pleasant surprise for Blackwood, who was initially worried about publishing another short fiction that might not be taken by libraries. The single volume was deliberately made 'thicker and handsomer' than a volume of an ordinary three-volume novel, and he calculated that the price of twelve shillings would attract individual buyers... The response from both libraries and the public exceeded expectations" (Shattock, pp. 27-8). This copy is in Carter's "A" binding, with the more elaborate gilt-work on the spine than the "B" variant - the two may have been issued concurrently, although if they do represent different issues, he theorizes the "A" binding would have preceded. It also has the two additional pages of advertisements for Alexander Carlyle at rear, absent in some copies, without known priority. This copy is from the library of the Anglican clergymen Rev. Herbert Maynard Smith (1869-1949), author of theological works and detective novels, and his brother Rev. J. Outram Smith (1871-1954), with their ownership stamps to the front free endpapers. Their substantial collection focused on theology, history, philosophy and literature works. Octavo. Original brown ripple-grain cloth (Carter binding "A"), lettering and ornaments in gilt on spine, light yellow endpapers. With 20 pp. publisher's advertisements at rear. Bookseller's ticket of Brackett, Tunbridge Wells, to front pastedown, contemporary ownership inscription of Anne Henley Golding (d. 1900) to front free endpaper. Extremities lightly rubbed, a little wear to spine ends and corners, spine ends repaired, minor marks on sides, binding professionally repaired where formally cracked at gutter, intermittent faint foxing and marks to contents, otherwise generally clean. A very good copy. Carter, Binding Variants, pp. 110-112; Parrish, pp. 15-16; Sadleir 819; Wolff 2063. Joanne Shattock, "Publishing and Publication", George Eliot in Context, ed. Margaret Harris, 2013.