The History of Henry Esmond, Esq., A Colonel in the service of Her Majesty Q. Anne. Written By Himself.

London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1852 Three volumes. First edition, first printing, with 16 pp. of publisher's ads to rear of Vol. III. Publisher's brown cloth with white paper spine labels lettered in black. About very good with various wear and spotting to boards, toning and rubbing to spine labels with some small loss; Vol. I with a horizontal closed tear across the middle of the backstrip and a few small ink stains, some chipping to spine ends, cloth rubbed away at corners of the boards, rear board slightly bent at top edge, contemporary ownership inscription and bookplate to front endpapers, early catalog description tipped in to front free endpaper; Vol. II with both hinges cracked but holding, some bumping to extremities, faint dampstain to rear board, "No 427." in ink to front pastedown, Vol. III with faint residue from what was most likely a label attached to the front board, both hinges cracked but holding, "No 428" in ink to front pastedown. Overall, a sturdy set that presents well, scarce in the original cloth. Housed in a custom quarter red morocco slipcase with folding chemise. The History of Henry Esmond is a historical fiction novel by William Thackeray that centers around the life of a colonel in the service of Queen Anne of England. Set in the early 18th century, the book follows Henry Esmond from his life as a young orphan through his journey to find family and his service in the queen's army. The story is written as a pseudo-memoir, and brings readers through the events of several significant moments in history, including the Glorious Revolution, the War of the Spanish Succession, and the Hamilton-Mohun Duel. The book was followed by a sequel, The Virginians (1857-1858), which follows the lives of Henry Esmond's two grandsons.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good.