Oliver Goldsmith — The Vicar of Wakefield

London, Macmillan & Co, 1891. Cloth. A beautifully copy of Goldsmith's popular Victorian novel, complete with in-text illustrations and bright gilt decoration on the cover. A beautifully illustrated second Hugh Thomson edition of 'The Vicar of Wakefield' by Oliver Goldsmith, with a preface by Austin Dobson. This novel, which was first published in 1766, was one of the most widely-read novels of the Victorian Era. It follows the life and escapades of Dr. Vicar Primrose and his family in an idyllic country parish. Illustrated by Hugh Thomson, a popular Irish illustrator who started the Cranford School after his illustrations for the 1891 novel's reissue became popular. One frontispiece and over three hundred in-text illustrations.Six pages of publisher's adverts to rear. Collated, complete. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, smart. Cloth is very bright and clean, with a bright gilt illustration on the front board. Gilt has faded very minimally on the spine. Some very slight bumping to the head and tail of spine. A couple of marks to rear board. A few spots to the fore edge. Front hinge is starting but remains firm. Bookseller's label on front pastedown. Internally, generally firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean, with just a few scattered spots on the first and last few pages. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Hugh Thomson. Very Good Indeed .