Thackeray, William Makepeace

Comic Tales and Sketches. London: Hugh Cunningham, 1841, 2 volumes, first edition, 2 plates, original green cloth, blocked in blind, spines lettered in gilt, slightly spotted, covers lightly rubbed, spines slightly chipped at head and foot, [Van Duzen 16], bookplate of Sylvain van de Weyer; -- The Newcomes. London: Bradbury & Evans, 1854, 2 volumes, first edition, 23 plates and vignette title page by Richard Doyle, half-title in vol.1, publisher's steel blue diaper grain cloth, blocked in blind, spines lettered in gilt, yellow end papers, some spotting and browning, covers lightly rubbed, spines bumped at end, [not in Van Duzen; Wolff 6696a]; The Book of Snobs. London: Punch Office, 1858, first edition, 65 woodcuts and initials by Thackeray, half-title, 2 pages of advertisements, original stiff green printed pictorial paper wrappers, also designed by the author, modern blue cloth chemise and morocco-backed slipcase, wrappers neatly repaired and restored, back strip worn with some repairs, [Van Duzen 25], embossed stamp of W.H. Smith on front free endpaper, bookplate of Hilda Wilkinson Bartlett on chemise; -- The Four Georges. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1861, first edition, second issue  (without "Sketches ..." on title-page and with the 16-page publisher's catalogue dated December 1861) ,13 woodcuts in text,  half-title, publisher's green cloth, blocked in blind, spine lettered in gilt, in brown cloth chemise and morocco-backed slipcase, occasional slight spotting, hinges cracked, some light wear to joints and edges, [Van Duzen 59a], embossed stamp of Dunnil & Palmer, Manchester, on front free endpaper; -- The Adventures of Phillip. London: Smith, Elder and Col., 1862, 3 volumes, first edition, first issue, half-titles, 16-page publisher's catalogue dated July 1862 at end of vol.3, publisher's brown morocco cloth blocked in blind, spines lettered in gilt, in chemise and morocco-backed slipcase, light damp-staining in vol.1, covers lightly rubbed, spines slightly bumped at head and foot, [Van Duzen 62], bookplate of Eugene Grosman on chemise; -- The English Humourists of the Eighteenth Century. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1853, second edition, with the expanded title and publisher's advertisments dated June, 1853, publisher's blue marbled cloth, inscription on half-title, hinges worn, some wear to joints and extremities, [Van Duzen 35b], armorial bookplate of James St Aubyn; 8vo and 12mo, 10 volumes

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Included here are two collections of lectures Thackeray delivered  first in major cities in England and Scotland and later in North America. These lecture tours were a success both critically and financially but not without some cost to Thackeray: "Always averse to public speaking, his nervousness before the first lecture is said to have been pitiable" (Van Duzen).