Robert Smith Surtees — Mr. Sponge&Apos;S Sporting Tour

London, Bradbury, Agnew, & Co. [1853]. Cloth. A decoratively bound volume of Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour by Victorian novelist and sporting writer Robert Smith Surtees A decoratively bound volume of Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour by Victorian novelist and sporting writer Robert Smith Surtees. With several in-text illustrations and 12 colour plates, collated but incomplete as lacking the final plate called for. Surtees was a fine creator of comic characters and is best remembered for the good-natured sporting cockney grocer, Jorrocks. In this novel, Surtees imbues the story of Soapey Sponge with sharp social observation and wit. Prior owner's ink inscription to the second front free endpaper. 'Edward Broadwood, New College Oxford, May 1876&apos. Undated. Dated from copy held at University of Cambridge. Rebound in the original red cloth binding. Externally, generally smart. A little rubbed to the boards and spine with some light wear to the extremities. Front hinge starting, but firm. Internally, firmly bound. Some light foxing to the front and rear of the volume, but pages are otherwise bright and clean. Very Good . Ill.: John Leech. Very Good .