Adventures of David Simple 

Dublin: William Smith, 1744

12mo. (5 by 7 1/2 inches), [vi] 160; 184 pp. Two volumes, beautifully bound in dos-à-dos full red-brown calf stamped in black with gilt rules and titles, a modern binding by James Tapley. Toning and mild foxing throughout, some offsetting; page 160 is misnumbered as page 96. 

Sarah Fielding's first novel, first printing. She had two years earlier significantly contributed to her brother Henry Fielding's first full-length novel, joseph Andrews (1742) Sales of the novel, which at six shillings cost the same as Joseph Andrews, must have been brisk, since a second edition appeared only ten weeks later, in July.

PH D7