1769 The Works of Laurence Sterne

Description

Leather Binding

Complete in five volumes.

The collected works of Laurence Sterne.

Each work has a separate title page with the imprint 'London: printed in the year 1769'.

Volumes II to V are numbered as such to the half-titles, though the title pages only bear the volume numbers of the original editions of the novels.

Leaf of marbled paper to Volume I page 232, as issued.

Illustrated with a frontispiece to Volume I. 

Volumes I and II contains 'Tristram Shandy', Volumes III and IV containing 'The Sermons of Mr. Yorick', and Volume V contains 'A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy' and 'A Political Romance'.

'Tristram Shandy' is a narration of the life story of the protagonist, Tristram Shandy. He spends a lot of the book going on tangents to try and explain something, resulting in him not describing his birth until Volume III out of IX. This novel was popular when first published, and has gone on to be one of the most popular works of English literature ever published. 

'A Sentimental Journey' is a moving novel, travelling through France and Italy on a sentimental trip, reflecting the Laurence Sterne's own travels through the countries towards the end of his life. This work helped establish travel writing as its own genre.

Laurence Sterne was a novelist and clergyman, who discovered his talent and love for writing late in his life, after writing 'A Political Romance' in support of his dean in a church squabble. After this, he dedicated himself to writing, beginning 'Tristram Shandy' and publishing in 1759.

Bookplate of Edward Francis Witts to the front paste downs of Volumes IV and V.

Collated, complete.