[STERNE, Laurence (1713-68)]. Letters from Yorick to Eliza, London, 1775, contemporary russia. FIRST EDITION.

[STERNE, Laurence (1713-68)]. Letters from Yorick to Eliza. London: Printed for G. Kearsly … and T. Evans, 1775. 8vo in 4s (155 x 95mm). Half title (stain to H1 and H2, a few other smaller stains, printing flaw to 2 pages at the end resulting in slight ‘blurring’ of text). Contemporary russia (crudely rebacked, extremities rubbed). Provenance: Lydia Thomas (old signature at head of title); from the Library of the late Sir George Engle. FIRST EDITION of this collection of ten letters written by Laurence Sterne (“Yorick”) to the much younger, and married, Elizabeth Draper (“Eliza”, 1744-78) with whom he was besotted. They are considered authentic, although her purported replies to them, first published in 1779, are widely believed to be forgeries written by William Combe, who knew both parties.