first edition
London: October1846 - April 1848
by Dickens, Charles
London: October1846 - April 1848: Bradbury and Evans. First Edition. 20 parts in 19, original printed wrappers. The present set has ALL the correct wrappers and ALL the ads called for by Hatton & Cleaver. First issue of text, with the word "Delight" instead of "Joy" mentioned twice on page 284, part IX; with "Capatin" in the last line of page 324, part XI; first state of Advertiser in part XIII, with "October 1847" in unbroken type on p. 1; the word "if" omitted on page 426, line 9 (page number 431 is present) in part XIV; Part XIX/XX with first issue title page, showing Captain Cuttle's hook on his left arm and with the 2 line errata. Part XV, with 10 diary leaves in the Letts, Son & Steer ad. With 40 inserted plates by Hablot K. Brown (Phiz), who also designed the green wrappers. Spines are expertly renewed on parts I, VII, XVI and perhaps a few others. Light soiling to wraps of some parts; neat owner name on front wrap of part XII. Booksellers' ticket on front wrap of several parts. Plates are very good to fine, light tanning at edges of a few. There are a couple of "firsts" in Dombey and Son: the plate "On the Dark Road" in part XVIII is the first of what became known as the "dark plates" - also this is the first appearance of the "horizontal plates" on which the subject is rotated 90 degrees. Altogether an outstanding set. Housed in a turn-of-the-century, solander, pull-off-top slipcase, 3/4 leather, with chemise. Armorial bookplate on chemise and inside the slipcase. Hatton & Cleaver, pp. 227-250.
(Inventory #: 08983)