William Makepeace Thackeray — The History of Pendennis

London, Bradbury and Evans, 1849-50. First edition. Leather. A first edition copy of William Makepeace Thackeray's iconic novel, 'The History of Pendennis&apos. Uniformly bound in half calf and illustrated throughout by the author. William Makepeace Thackeray's satirical bildungsroman novel, featuring his alter-ego Arthur Pendennis.Complete in two volumes.Volume I includes a frontispiece and twenty-three illustrated plates. Collated and complete. Volume II includes a frontispiece and twenty-three illustrated plates. Collated and complete.Also including many other in-text illustrations. Pendennis (1849–1850) is a novel by the English author William Makepeace Thackeray. It is set in 19th century England, particularly in London. The main hero is a young English gentleman Arthur Pendennis who is born in the country and sets out for London to seek his place in life and society. In line with other Thackeray's works, most notably Vanity Fair, Pendennis offers an insightful and satiric picture of human character and aristocratic society. The characters include the snobbish social hanger-on Major Pendennis and the tipsy Captain Costigan. Miss Amory and Sir Francis Clavering are somewhat reminiscent of Becky Sharp and Sir Pitt from Vanity Fair.Containing the bookplate of a previous owner to the front pastedown of each volume.  Uniformly bound in half calf with gilt detailing to the spine and marbled boards. Externally, rubbing to the spine, joints, and extremities. Some shelf wear and fading to the boards. Bookplate of a previous owner to the front pastedown of each volume. Internally, both volumes firmly bound. Scattered spotting to the pages of each volume, more prominent to the first and last few pages. Good . Ill.: William Makepeace Thackeray. Good .