"Ask Mamma;" or, The Richest Commoner in England
London: Bradbury and Evans, 1857-58. Item #05855
A Surtees Title in the Original Monthly Parts
[SURTEES, Robert Smith]. "Ask Mamma;" or, The Richest Commoner in England. By the author of “Handley Cross,” “Sponge’s Sporting Tour,” etc. etc. With illustrations by John Leech. London: Bradbury and Evans, 1858.
First edition, first issue. In the original thirteen monthly parts, March 1857-April 1858. Octavo (8 7/8 x 5 5/8 in; 225 x 144 mm.). ix, [3], 412 pp. Thirteen hand-colored engraved plates (including frontispiece) and sixty-nine wood-engravings in text, all by John Leech.
Original pale brick printed wrappers. A lovely set with very little wear and minimal restoration. Plates very clean and bright. A near fine set. Chemised in a red cloth slipcase with black morocco spine labels lettered in gilt.
Set collates per Tooley. First issue front wrapper to Part I with "Ask Mamma" in outline letters (with back cover ad titled “Mappin’s Shilling Razor”). No “Advertiser” is called for in Parts XI and XII. Lacking "Advertiser for part X" but with additional leaf of ads "The English Cyclopaedia" in part XIII.
Provenance: Van Santvoord Merle-Smith (1889-1943) was a United States soldier, lawyer, and investment banker, who served as Third Assistant Secretary of State from 1920 to 1921, and as Executive Intelligence Officer to General Douglas MacArthur during World War II.
Mellon/Podeschi 195; Sadleir 3161; Schwerdt II, p. 233; Tooley 472; Wolff 6632.
Price: $850.00