ADVENTURES OF FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM

Smollett, Tobias. THE ADVENTURES OF FERDINAND COUNT FATHOM. London: T. Johnson, 1753. 2 vols. Pirated edition, published the same year as the first edition. Later marbled boards, leather labels, gilt. Fine set. The shortest of Smollett's novels, and written with little humor, it tells the story of numerous frauds and deceptions of an unrelenting villain. Smollett dedicated this novel to himself, perhaps the first author to do so, and wrote a psychologically facsinating preface to himself. The scoundrel in this work may have been inspired by Peter Gordon, a low-life deadbeat whom Smollett had rescued from jail, fed, and clothed. Gordon had also borrowed money from Smollett. When Smollett tried to collect it in person, Gordon and a friend attacked him, and were caned by Smollett in self-defense. The creeps sued and won damages. This book, begun while Smollett was trying to collect the debt (and learning Gordon's true nature for the first time) was published within a week of the trial. The true first edition carries the imprint of W. Johnston. The name T. Johnson had been used as early as 1722 by a pirate publisher in the Hague, and this edition is presumed to be such a piracy. The sale and reception of the work was poor, a genuine disappointment to Smollett, who was in poor physical health, depressed, angry, and in debt himself at the time. No doubt, this piracy rubbed salt in his wounds. New CBEL II:963. Norwood 38. Tinker 1928. Rothschild 1912-4.