The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit

London: Chapman and Hall, 1844. First edition. Near Fine. First edition in book form, first issue following all points in Smith. This copy with the vignette on title-page with amount on sign post transposed to read "100£" and seven studs in the trunk. According to Smith "An earlier 13-line errata leaf exists with the same data that is found on the 14-line leaf; the setting was changed to 14-lines for a better balance." Octavo (8 11/16 x 5 7/16 inches; 220 x 139 mm). xiv, [errata with 14 lines, verso blank], 624 pp. Forty etched plates including frontispiece and title-page vignette by Hablot K. Browne aka "Phiz." Bound in full contemporary diced calf. Marbled end papers and text block. A handsome binding that is holding well. Spine faded and gilt lacking. Most plates with some foxing, but text generally clean.

Charles Dickens's sixth book, considered his last picaresque novel, The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit, is a study in man's financial greed. Although Dickens wrote of his fondness for the project, it was the least commercial successful of his published works, resulting in a story alteration that sent his title character to America in an attempt to boost sales. It first appeared serially in 19th monthly parts (released between January 1843 - July 1844), with the book version being published upon its conclusion. Martin Chuzzlewit is listed as number five in Michael Sadleir's list of Charles Dickens comparative scarcities. Near Fine.