Blackmore, R.D. | Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor, the first edition

Property from an Important American Collection

Blackmore, R.D.

Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor. London: Sampson Low, Son, & Marston, 1869

3 volumes, 8vo. 16pp. of publisher's advertisements at end of volume 3 dated March 1869; light scattered foxing. Publisher's blue cloth by W. Bone and Son, Carter binding A; light shelfwear, spines toned, bumped at corners. Collector's quarter morocco clamshell box; detached at upper joint.

First edition.

While Blackmore initially experienced great difficulty in getting Lorna Doone published, as well as further struggle to sell the first, three-volume edition, the publication the following year of a less expensive one-volume edition was an immense success. George Gissing wrote in a letter to his brother Algernon that the novel was "quite admirable, approaching Scott as closely as anything since the latter". It has never been out of print. 

This set is identical to Sadlier's presentation set that Blackmore gave to his wife and inscribed on 20 March 1869. Many copies, including Slater's, have the catalogue dated November 1869, which was not yet available when the book was published.

PROVENANCE:

Leigh B. Block (bookplate to pastedowns)