Books

Eliot, George. Silas Marner. London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1861. First Edition, first printing. 364 pages. 7.5" x 5". The third novel by English writer Mary Ann Evans, under her pen name George Eliot. Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe follows the honest but unlucky Silas, a weaver in a small Northern English town who is cast out from his community after being falsely accused of theft. The novel has been praised for capturing the evolution of industrialism in rural England in the early 19th century and for Eliot's deft and nuanced approach to realism. Eliot wrote seven full length novels in addition to her short stories and scholarly works, among them Middlemarch, now considered one of the greatest 19th century English works of fiction. Bound in deep turquoise crushed morroco by the famous binder Bayntun. Title, author, and date stamped in gilt on spines. Douglas Clan book plate with family crest "Jamais Arriere" ("Never Behind") to the inside of each cover (pastedown). Spine sunned to an olive-green shade. Ribbon markers. Binding is beautiful, tight, and square, with all hinges firm and internally clean and bright. Inside covers have gilted dentelle borders and marbled endpaper. Overall near fine condition. An exquisite edition.

'Silas Marner', published in 1861, tells the story of a reclusive weaver, who finds redemption and purpose after adopting an orphaned girl.