Robinson Crusoe, the First English Novel
Daniel Defoe, 1719-20
DEFOE, Daniel (1660-1731). The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner ... Written by Himself (1719); The Farther Adventures ... Being the Second and Last Part (1719); Serious Reflections during the Life and Surprising Adventures ... with his vision of the Angelick World (1720). London: Printed for W. Taylor, 1719-20.

First edition of parts 2 and 3 and fourth edition of part 1 of what is widely considered the first novel in English. The first edition of the first part of Defoe’s novel appeared on 25 April 1719, and it proved such a success that three more editions were quickly issued the same year: a second edition on 9 May, a third on 4 June, and a fourth on 7 August; the first part in the present copy is the fourth edition. The second part of the novel appeared on 20 August 1719, and the third and final part a year later on 6 August 1720. Hutchins pp. 78-80 (part 1, fourth ed., variant 4A), 97-112 (part 2, first ed.), and 122-128 (part 3, first ed.); Moore 412, 417 and 436; PMM 180; Rothschild 775.

Three volumes, octavo (192 x 123mm). Part 1, vol. 1: lacks map; erasure of edition line on title; a few leaves stained; blank portion lost from C4. Part 2, vol. 2: lacks last two leaves of advertisements. Part 3, vol. 3: folding plate torn and repaired in two places and cropped; lacks leaf S8 after p. 270 dividing the parts; lacks two leaves of advertisements; a few blank corners restored. Vol. 1 in late 19th-century calf gilt (all edges gilt, spine and corners worn); vols. 2 and 3 in uniform 19th-century tree calf gilt by J. Clarke (rebacked, board edges and corners worn; Zambrano library labels on back pastedowns of all volumes). Provenance: sold Christie's New York, 8 November 1996, lot 14.