The History of Tom Jones: A Foundling (Oxford Library of the World’s Greatest Books)

Printed and bound by the Franklin Library. [xxx] 742pp. The Rowlandson etchings which illustrate this edition of Tom Jones were rendered from a rare edition published in three volumes in 1792. Quarter bound in blue calf’s leather with gilt lettering and decorations, three raised bands on spine, all edges and decorations in 22 karat gold. Rich marbled endpapers. Blue satin ribbon marker bound in. Smyth-sewn binding. Printed on acid-neutral archival paper (which means the pages will not brown with time). In fine condition throughout, barring one tiny mark on the lower text block edge. The Franklin Library (a division of the Franklin Mint) was one of the leading producers of great books in fine bindings in the 20th century. Made between 1981 and 1985 the Oxford/Franklin volumes are stunning and outstanding for their production qualities. Oxford University Press specially chose the Franklin Library to design and produce its World’s Great Books series because of its unsurpassed skill in achieving a premium-quality product: each of the Oxford books was to be ‘a wonder’, in the finest traditions of bookbinding. Books in the World’s Greatest Books series were produced as limited editions in either full leather or quarter leather bindings (as were all Franklin Library books, although in some cases it’s not known how many were included in each limited edition). A truly, gorgeously handsome volume, designed to become an heirloom, in collectible and gift condition.

Rowlandson, Thomas

franklin library, oxford library of the world’s greatest books, franklin mint, Beautiful Books,