{"product_id":"the-kickleburys-on-the-rhine-mr-m-a-titmarsh-william-makepeace-thackeray","title":"The Kickleburys on the Rhine, Mr. M. A. Titmarsh (William Makepeace Thackeray)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Kickleburys on the Rhine, Mr. M. A. Titmarsh (William Makepeace Thackeray) — 1866 Edition\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublication:\u003c\/b\u003e London, Smith, Elder, \u0026amp; Co., 1866\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormatting:\u003c\/b\u003e Square 8vo, pp. [vi], xv, [i], 87.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/b\u003e: Very Good. Bound in the publisher's original blind-stamped plum cloth with a gilt vignette and titling to the front board, this copy remains highly presentable. Protected by a mylar cover, the cloth exhibits a pleasing brightness, though it displays mild, expected rubbing to the extremities, minor bumping to the corners, and slight, historic wear at the spine head and tail. The binding remains tight and structurally sound, with secure hinges and firm yellow endpapers. Internally, the text block is very well preserved; the pages and the sixteen hand-coloured plates (including the frontispiece and title vignette) show occasional, localised foxing and minor age-toning typical of the era, but are overwhelmingly bright and clean. All edges gilt. An altogether handsome, well-preserved surviving example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCatalogue Note:\u003c\/b\u003e This 1866 printing of \u003ci\u003eThe Kickleburys on the Rhine\u003c\/i\u003e, published by Smith, Elder, \u0026amp; Co., is a vibrant later issue of William Makepeace Thackeray's celebrated Christmas Book. Originally published in late 1850 under his famous pseudonym, Mr. M. A. Titmarsh, the work was issued in both plain and hand-coloured states. This copy boasts the highly desirable hand-coloured plates, sixteen in total, including the frontispiece and title vignette, beautifully capturing Thackeray's own satirical illustrations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an early posthumous reprint by Smith, Elder, \u0026amp; Co., this volume successfully reproduces the charm of the true firsts and the notable 1851 Second Edition (which first introduced his famous defensive preface, \u003ci\u003eAn Essay on Thunder and Small Beer\u003c\/i\u003e). Mid-century printings of Thackeray's Christmas books in their original, un-restored publisher’s cloth are becoming increasingly scarce on the open market, particularly when the delicate hand-colouring remains this vivid and intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten and illustrated by William Makepeace Thackeray under his popular pseudonym Mr. M. A. Titmarsh, \u003ci\u003eThe Kickleburys on the Rhine\u003c\/i\u003e is a sharp, satirical romp through 19th-century Europe. The narrative follows the pretentious English Kicklebury family as they embark on a grand cultural tour down the Rhine, encountering a delightfully chaotic cast of eccentric characters, social climbers, and European nobility. Originally part of Thackeray's celebrated series of 'Christmas Books,' this work masterfully blends his biting literary wit with whimsical artwork, offering a timeless and humorous critique of the English upper classes abroad.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54577277993299,"sku":"5064","price":125.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20260809_195739.jpg?v=1786619514","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/the-kickleburys-on-the-rhine-mr-m-a-titmarsh-william-makepeace-thackeray","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}