The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

Laurence Sterne, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. Typeset by Blundell Studios. Printed and bound by L.E.G.O. Dark red-brown cloth slip case blocked in metallic red and titled (as above). The two volumes are as follows: 

[1] The life and opinions of Tristram Shandy, gentleman, Laurence Sterne, edited by Melvyn New and Joan New, illustrated by Tom Phillips. 263 × 195 × 45 mm. Pp. [1–2], [i–x], [1–5] 6–504 [505–508]: [10] leaves of colour plates (facing pp. [v], [5], [63], [119], [187], [265], [317], [369], [419] and [467]). Type: Caslon. Bound in full white cloth printed in red and blocked in gold with a titling design by Phillips. Gilded top edge. Dark purple endleaves. The tipped-in edition statement, printed letterpress by Hand and Eye, reads in part ‘limited to 750 copies, signed and numbered by the artist, and 25 lettered copies hors de commerce’. Tipped-in pieces of marbled paper for page 173 have been provided by Jemma Lewis. Phillips has produced collages for the frontispiece and each chapter.

[2] A commentary to accompany the life and opinions of Tristram Shandy, gentleman, by Laurence Sterne. Edited by Melvyn New. 263 × 195 × 20 mm. Pp. [i–vi], [1] 2–173 [174]. Type: Dante. Bound in full dark red cloth blocked in gold and blind stamped, reflecting the main volume and slip case design; dark purple endleaves. Opens with a preface by Patrick Wildgust.

Both the book and commentary are in fine condition. There are no signs of wear or rubbing to the edges of the bindings. Pages are tightly bound and internally, they are both immaculate with no inscriptions. Neither the book, nor the commentary could have been read (carefully) more than once (if at all). The slipcase is in fine condition. No faults, no bumped corners, only minor shelf-wear marks.

N.B. You may notice in the ninth photo that the book's front board is ever-so-slightly convex. We've looked at other examples available on the second-hand market and it seems all these books come like this. It is likely a result of the shape of the slipcase, which is rather narrow at top and bottom, and slightly looser around the middle.