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Thomas Carlyle. The French Revolution: a History. London: James Fraser, 1837....
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Description
Presentation copy to the author's mother-in-law, bound with a leaf of the original manuscript
Thomas Carlyle. The French Revolution: a History.
London: James Fraser, 1837.3 volumes, 8vo. Contemporary special binding in full maroon morocco, covers decorated in blind, spines gilt-lettered and decorated, turn-ins gilt, edges gilt; quarter morocco folding case.
FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, IN A PRESENTATION BINDING, INSCRIBED BY CARLYLE on the title-page of Vol. I: "To Mrs. John Welsh [the author's mother-in-law]. Liverpool. / T.C. / London, June / 1837." Bound with a densely-written portion of a leaf of the original manuscript inserted at the beginning of Vol. I (about 45 lines or 275 words).
Grace Welsh (1782-1842) was the mother of Carlyle's wife, Jane Baillie Carlie (nee Welsh). According to Ian Campbell, "Grace Welsh has the unfortunate distinction in literature-unfortunate to be know principally through the pen of her sharp-witted, devoted, think-skinned daughter. Jane loved her mother deeply, and was bound to her strongly after the tragic loss of her father (whom she adored) in 1819... 'My Mother' haunts Jane's letters, by her hidden and disapproving presence during the courtship with Thomas (for Mrs. Welsh had hoped for a better and richer suitor than Thomas for her only child)..."
Jane met Thomas Carlyle in May 1821, and after much prevarication agreed to marry Carlyle. In October 1826, Thomas and Jane Welsh were married at the Welsh family farm in Templand. Shortly after their marriage, the Carlyles moved into a modest home on Comely Bank in Edinburgh, that had been leased for them by Jane's mother. They lived there from October 1826 to May 1828.
The French Revolution was a massive undertaking in which Carlyle draws together a wide variety of sources. It is considered an authoritative account of the early course of the Revolution, and established Carlyle's reputation as an important 19th-century intellectual. It also served as a major influence on a number of his contemporaries, including Charles Dickens.
Condition: Lacking (presumably bound without) half-titles. Minor rubbing and light wear to joints and spine ends, with a few tiny nicks; minor scuffing to spines; touch of rubbing to extremities.
References: Printing and the Mind of Man 304. Ian Campbell, "Grace Welsh and Jane Carlyle," in: Carlyle Newsletter, No. 1, March 1979, pp. 16-21).
Provenance: Mrs. John Welsh (presentation inscription); Miss Mary R. Chrystal, grand-daughter of Dr. John Welsh, of Liverpool, uncle of Jane Welsh Carlyle, (sold at Sotheby's 12 April 1938, lot 247); sold Sotheby's 21 June 1976, lot 125, to Drew; sold Sotheby's, 8 December 1983, lot 83, to John Howell Books; purchased from John Howell Books, San Francisco. From the William A. Strutz Library.
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Auction Info
2024 June 27 Important English and American Literature: The William A. Strutz Library, Part I, Rare Books Signature® Auction #6295 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2024
27th
Thursday
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