Auction Name: 2025 December 15 Rare Books Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 45044

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6323*45044

George Eliot [Mary Ann Evans]. Scenes of Clerical Life. Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1858.

2 volumes, 8vo. Half-titles, 4 divisional-titles. Original dark maroon cloth, covers and spines blocked in blind, spines gilt-lettered, chocolate-brown endpapers, binder's ticket of Edmonds & Remnants in Vol. I.

FIRST EDITION of Eliot's first work of fiction. At the age of 36, after having established a modest career as a translator of theological works, Eliot wrote this collection of three novellas, Scenes of Clerical Life. Drawing on her own childhood in Warwickshire, the stories touch on the themes of religious and social reform, including alcoholism, poverty and domestic violence. First published in Blackwood's Magazine in 1857, the stories were generally well-received, distinguishing Eliot's talents and paving the way for her success as a novelist.

Condition: Some light wear to spine ends and extremities; joints rubbed; slight fading to spines; a few small scuffs or abrasions; corners bumped; front hinge Vol. I possibly tightened. Front free endpaper in Vol. I a little ragged along fore-edge; signature G in Vol. I slightly sprung; a very few occasions of spotting or soiling, otherwise very clean internally.

References: Baker & Ross A3.3; Parrish 7; Sadleir 818; Wolff 2062.

Provenance: Malton Book Society (printed circulation slip [with manuscript subscriptions and entries] on front pastedown and front endpaper in Vol. I). The Library of a Minnesota Collector.

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