Jewish Cultural History George Eliot Daniel Deronda First Edition 1876 Novel Introducing Jewish Identity and Early Zionist Thought in Victorian Literature

George Eliot

First Edition

Eliot, George. Daniel Deronda published in 1876 is the final and longest novel by Mary Ann Evans writing under the pen name George Eliot and stands as a major work of Victorian literature engaging questions of Jewish identity, social responsibility, and moral reform in nineteenth century Britain. The novel follows two central figures navigating English society: Daniel Deronda, a young man raised within the English aristocracy who later confronts his Jewish heritage, and Gwendolen Harleth, a complex heroine whose ambition and independence collide with the restrictive social expectations placed upon women. Eliot’s narrative brought unusual attention to Jewish intellectual life in Britain and explored the emerging idea of Jewish national revival during the late nineteenth century.

Eliot, George. Daniel Deronda. London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1876. First edition, first printing. Four volumes containing 1491 pages in total with pagination of 367 pages in volume I, 364 pages in volume II, 393 pages in volume III, and 367 pages in volume IV. Eliot’s final novel departs from her earlier historical settings and instead situates its story in contemporary Victorian England while engaging the cultural and religious experiences of Jewish communities. The work received significant attention upon publication and was quickly translated into multiple languages including German, Dutch, Yiddish, Hebrew, and Russian.

Daniel Deronda later gained particular recognition for its sympathetic portrayal of Jewish cultural identity and its discussion of ideas associated with early Zionist thought. The novel influenced a number of Jewish intellectual and cultural figures including Henrietta Szold, Eliezer Ben Yehuda, and the American Jewish poet Emma Lazarus. Eliot’s literary career included seven full length novels as well as essays and scholarly writing, with works such as Middlemarch widely regarded among the most important achievements of nineteenth century English fiction. The present set measures approximately 7.5 × 5 inches and is bound in deep turquoise crushed morocco by the binder Bayntun with gilt stamped titles and dates on the spines. Douglas Clan bookplates bearing the family crest and motto “Jamais Arriere” appear on the pastedowns. Spines are evenly sunned to an olive tone with ribbon markers present and a small discoloration affecting the date on the spine of volume II. Volume III retains the errata slip. Binding remains tight and square with firm hinges, gilt dentelle borders to the inner covers, and marbled endpapers. Near fine condition overall and an attractive bound example of Eliot’s final novel.

Item #20732

Price: $1,700.00