2 volumes bound in one, 8vo, period calf coated in later thick brown paint, gilt lettered spine label, 180 pp. Spine ends chipped, hinges very tender, corners bumped, binding worn, group of pages off-centered, dampstains, foxing, early signatures and notations. Overall fair to good. First published in 1766, the present volume is considered the first obtainable American edition. However, there was an earlier American edition published in 1767.A literary classic that tells the tale of Dr. Primrose and his family. Considered a novel that presents the belief in the innate goodness of people, it can also be seen as satire.

Synopsis

"The greatest object in the universe, says a certain philosopher, is a good man struggling with adversity." When Dr Primrose loses his fortune in a disastrous investment, his idyllic life in the country is shattered and he is forced to move with his wife and six children to an impoverished living on the estate of Squire Thornhill. Taking to the road in pursuit of his daughter, who has been seduced by the rakish Squire, the beleaguered Primrose becomes embroiled in a series of misadventures – encountering his long-lost son in a travelling theatre company and even spending time in a debtor’s prison. Yet Primrose, though hampered by his unworldliness and pride, is sustained by his unwavering religious faith. In The Vicar of Wakefield , Goldsmith gently mocks many of the literary conventions of his day – from pastoral and romance to the picaresque – infusing his story of a hapless clergyman with warm humour and amiable social satire. In his introduction, Stephen Coote discusses Goldsmith’s eventful life, the literary devices used in the novel, and its central themes of Christianity, justice and the family. This edition also includes a bibliography and notes.

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Details

Bookseller: Nicholas D. Riccio Rare Books & Prints (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 100231
Title: The Vicar of Wakefield: A Tale
Author: Goldsmith, Oliver
Book Condition: Used
Edition: Second American Edition
Publisher: Printed for William Mentz
Place of Publication: Philadelphia
Date Published: 1772
Note: May be a multi-volume set and require additional postage.

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About Nicholas D. Riccio Rare Books & Prints

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Glossary

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Gilt: The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
Spine Label: The paper or leather descriptive tag attached to the spine of the book, most commonly providing the title and author of the...
Calf: Calf or calf hide is a common form of leather binding. Calf binding is naturally a light brown but there are ways to treat the...
Fair: is a worn book that has complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half-title, etc....