The introduction to the book historicises early responses to Sterne’s pioneering visual devices and establishes the rarity of illustrated first edition novels at mid-eighteenth century. It provides an insight into Sterne’s remarkable contribution to the history of the novel while justifying the scope of this project, which is to tackle mid-century book design more broadly. If first edition novels did not traditionally include visuals, what kind of books did? It also provides a brief outline of the contents.