FIELDING, Henry (1707-1754). The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. London: for A. Millar, 1749. 6 volumes, 12mo (160 x 95 mm). Errata leaf in vol. I; leaves B9-10 (vol. I), B4-5 and N12 (vol. II), H8-10, M3 and Q11 (vol. III), B1 (Vol. IV), N8 (Vol. V) are cancels. (A few light stains, vol.II with light dampstain to upper margin.) Contemporary sprinkled calf, spines in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands, morocco lettering-pieces gilt (discreet repairs to spines and a few corners); quarter brown morocco folding case gilt. Provenance: Frederick Edwin Smith, 1st Earl of Birkenhead (1872-1930) English politician (armorial bookplate). FIRST EDITION of Fielding's masterpiece, which was rushed to publication in 1749. As a result, the first edition contains a number of errors due to both compositor and author error. The work was immediately revised after the publication of the first edition, and the errors are addressed in subsequent editions which also omit the errata leaf (present in this copy). According to early bibliographer Frederick S. Dickson, the second edition was likely begun while the sixth volume of the first edition went to press in February 1749. ESTC T1947; Grolier English 48; Rothschild 850.