THE ADVENTURES OF GIL BLAS OF SANTILLANE. Translated from the French of Le Sage, By T. Smollett M.D. To Which are Prefixed Memoirs of the Author

3 volumes. An early American issue of this famous work. A copy with the fine provenance of George C. Shattuck, the important Boston physician and educator. Handsomely decorated with 24 full page illustrations by Smirke, engraved by Neale and others throughout. 8vo, bound in full polished calf of the period, the covers with gilt rolled borders, original marbled endleaves, the spine panels fully gilt and handsomely restored at an early date. 316; 308; 304 pp. A handsome set, clean and nice, the calf in pleasing condition, the spines restored and the hinges strong, the text-blocks and illustrations clean and only lightly mellowed by time.

Edizione: scarce in contemporary calf. a handsome and well preserved set of this 18th century classic, offered here in the best translation by mr. smollett who was also renown for his translation of don quixote and for his own masterful works of literature and travel. robert smirke, english painter and illustrator, specialized in small paintings showing subjects taken from literature. he was a member of the royal academy and illustrated many books including the gil blas as here, don quixote, the picturesque beauties of shakespeare, the arabian nights and others.<br> gil blas is related to le sage's other well known play, turcaret. in both works, le sage uses such things as witty valets in the service of thieving masters, women of questionable morals, cuckolded yet happy husbands, gourmands, ridiculous poets, false savants, and dangerously ignorant doctors to make his point. each class and each occupation becomes an archetype. the work is universal while also being decidedly french.<br> it is thanks to smollett that gil blas had such an impact on the english-speaking nations. the work was referred to by authors such as jonathan swift, oliver wendell holmes, wilkie collins, and nathaniel hawthorne. it is considered a primary model to twain for 'the adventures of huckleberry finn' and charles dickens relates the story of gil blas to steerforth and traddles in david copperfield.