Charles Lever — The Confessions of Harry Lorrequer

Dublin, William Curry, Jun. and Company, 1839 . First edition. Leather. The first edition of this thrilling and adventurous military novel from Irish novelist Charles Lever, illustrated throughout by Phiz. The first edition in book form of a work first serialised in the Dublin University Magazine.Illustrated with a frontispiece, illustrated title page, and twenty further plates, all the work of Hablot Knight Browne, or 'Phiz', best known for contribution of illustrations to the work of Dickens. Collated, complete.The first novel published by Charles Lever, who referred to the work as 'a mass of incongruous adventures', and follows the titular dashing young British Army officer who is transferred to Cork with his regiment.With the bookplate of Robert McKerlie to the front pastedown, and of John H. Mills to the front free endpaper.Lever's work paints a humorous portrait of the nineteenth century Irish countryside. In a half calf binding, with gilt detailing to back strip, and marbled paper covered boards. Back strip age toned, with rubbing to joints, board perimeters, and centre of boards. Front hinge strained, but firmly held. Bookplates to front pastedown and front free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Text leaves bright and generally clean, and with engraved plates age toned with significant spotting and instances of foxing. Good . Ill.: Phiz [Hablot Knight Browne]. Good .