Sponge's Sporting Tour; Handley Cross; Ask Mama; Plain or Ringlets;…

London: Bradbury & Evans 1853, 54, 58, 60 & 65. 5 volumes, 9 inches tall in half morocco cases 10 inches tall. The original cloth bindings are all in superb condition and are housed in top quality half morocco pull off cases with raised bands and gilt titles. The volumes have decorative titles and numerous hand-coloured plates, and further black and white illustrations in the texts. There is an armorial bookplate of Frederick George Hilton Price to 'Plain or Ringlets'. From the Library of the Late Christopher Foyle of Beeleigh Abbey. Surtees was hugely popular in his day and he is still considered the master of the picturesque comic 'Field Sport' novel. William Morris considered him "a master of life" and ranked him with Dickens.