First edition, first printing, published in Edinburgh and London by William Blackwood and Sons, 1871–1872. Complete in four volumes.

Among the finest novels of the nineteenth century, Middlemarch first appeared in eight parts issued between December 1871 and December 1872; the same sheets were also bound up in the four-volume format offered here.

This set is in the presumed earliest issue, with the following points: a clear period after “Vol. I” on the title page; the reading “enough to wish for” at volume I, p.408, line 25; and the uncorrected “viros nulli” at volume II, p.103, line 17. All four volumes retain their half-titles and fly-titles. In volume I, the fly-title is bound directly after the half-title rather than after the “Prelude”, matching the order of the parts issue. Baker & Ross A10.1.a1–2; Sadleir 815; Wolff 2059a.

Attractively rebound in modern quarter black leather with matching leather corners and marbled boards. The spines have raised bands and gilt rules, with the title, author and volume numbers in gilt; all edges speckled.

Volume III has a significant stain that starts at the lower corner of the half-title and runs through the volume, gradually fading towards the last leaf. Otherwise there are only occasional small marks and stains, and the text is on the whole fresh and clean. The handsome bindings are in fine condition.

A fine complete first edition of George Eliot’s masterpiece, preserving key early textual points together with all the main half-titles and fly-titles.