QUENTIN DURWARD. In Three Volumes.
[the FINE Parrish set] Edinburgh: Printed for Archibald Constable and Co. Edinburgh; and Hurst, Robinson, and Co. London, 1823. Original paper-covered drab boards with printed spine labels.
First Edition, first issue, of Scott's well-known adventure tale sited in Fifteenth Century France, amidst the conflict between King Louis XI and the ambitious Duke of Burgundy. The Duke arranges a marriage for the young Burgundian heiress Isabelle, in order to ensure that her wealth remains within his dukedom, so the King sends a young Scot in his guard, Quentin Durward, to rescue Isabelle and convey her to safety -- a journey beset by dangers from all sides. Among Scott's novels, certainly IVANHOE is the best known; however, after IVANHOE there are three others -- ROB ROY, QUENTIN DURWARD, and KENILWORTH -- that would be considered by most to fall into the "second tier," above all the rest.
The "first issue" of the first edition, as here, is easily identifiable because both the second and third "issues" read "Second Edition" on the title pages. This set, still in the original boards after more than 200 years, is in "full" paper-covered boards, with spine labels. According to T&B, this is the "primary" binding state -- "drab, green, or grey-green [paper-covered] boards with printed labels." We have also had copies, with the same spine labels, in either of two secondary binding states -- paper-covered boards with cloth spines, or full cloth.
Condition is FINE, with scarcely any wear -- as should be expected, as each volume bears the bookplate of the fastidious collector Morris L. Parrish (1867-1944, whose collection of Victorian authors went upon his death to Princeton, where they are housed in a re-creation of his Dormy House library). Todd & Bowden 167Aa; Worthington 15. Item #15821
Price: $2,450.00