Oliver Goldsmith — The Vicar of Wakefield

London, Macmillan and Co , 1890. First edition. Cloth. The first Hugh Thomson illustrated edition of Oliver Goldsmith's most well-known novel, in the striking publisher's original cloth binding. The first edition, first issue of this illustrated copy of Irish author Oliver Goldsmith's most well-known work, retaining the suppressed illustration on page 95 of girl sitting on a man's back.First published in 1766, this humorous and satirical work was one of the most popular eighteenth century novels amongst Victorian readers.With a frontispiece and numerous illustrations from Irish illustrator Thomson, best known for his pen-and-ink illustrations of works by authors including Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and J. M. Barrie. Thomson inaugurated the 'Cranford School' of illustration with the publication of his 1891 Macmillan edition of Elizabeth Gaskell's 'Cranford&apos.With the illustrated bookplate of Hugh Charles Knowles to the front pastedown, and six pages of advertisements to the rear. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, lovely. Bumping to back strip head and tail, with small split in cloth to back strip head. Front and rear hinge starting, with boards holding firm. Bookplate to front pastedown. Internally, firmly bound. Spotting to perimeter of title page, with pages otherwise clean and bright. Very Good . Ill.: Hugh Thomson. Very Good .