Books

London: Chapman and Hall, 1837. Fine. Chapman and Hall, London 1837, Fort in-8 (13,5x21,3cm), xiv (2) 44Pl. 609pp., relié. - Edition originale illustrée de 43 planches dont un frontispice et un titre-frontispice. MCCCXXXVII en page de titre. 28 planches possèdent une légende tandis que le reste n'en a aucune. Notre volume possède plusieurs caractéristiques attestant du tout premier tirage : 5 lignes de bas de page p.9 ; p.10 dernière ligne, marque entre le R et U et M de RUM ; Ligne 29 p. 260 : ""holding"" ; p. 341 ligne 1 : L.5 p. 341 Inscriptino ; ""inbe-licate"" ; p. 342 ligne 5 : ""S. Veller"" ; p. 432 le F de Posthumous papers of est mal imprimé. Le titre gravé est en second état avec le nom de Tony Weller au-dessus du porche, le premier état ayant simplement Veller. Reliure en plein veau brun d'époque. Dos à faux nerfs orné de filets gras dorés, de fers en long sur les nerfs et de vaguelettes à froid sur le dos. Pièce de titre de veau…

"The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club," commonly known as "The Pickwick Papers," is Charles Dickens' debut novel, initially published in monthly installments from 1836 to 1837. The novel revolves around the escapades of the Pickwick Club, led by the kindly and naive Samuel Pickwick. The story begins with Mr. Pickwick, a wealthy and good-natured gentleman, forming a club dedicated to exploring and researching the quaint and curious phenomena of the English countryside. Accompanied by his faithful servant, Sam Weller, and his fellow club members - the sportsman Nathaniel Winkle, the poet Augustus Snodgrass, and the well-to-do Tracy Tupman - Pickwick embarks on a series of misadventures. Throughout their travels, the members encounter a myriad of colorful characters and find themselves in humorous and often absurd situations. Dickens uses the episodic structure of the novel to present a tapestry of vignettes, each showcasing different facets of English society, from the eccentric to the mundane. Among the memorable episodes is the mishap-filled romantic pursuit of Mr. Tupman, the amateur theatricals featuring Mr. Winkle's dubious acting skills, and Mr. Pickwick's inadvertent entanglements in legal disputes, including a memorable trial in which he is wrongfully accused of breach of promise. One of the standout characters is Sam Weller, Mr. Pickwick's witty and resourceful valet, whose distinctive Cockney speech and clever observations provide comic relief and endear him to readers. "The Pickwick Papers" is more than just a collection of humorous escapades; it also serves as a social commentary on various aspects of early 19th-century England. Dickens addresses issues such as the legal system, the injustices of debtors' prisons, the hypocrisies of the upper class, and the hardships faced by the working class. The novel's popularity lies in Dickens' sharp wit, vivid characterizations, and satirical observations of society, establishing his reputation as a master storyteller and cementing his place in the pantheon of English literature. "The Pickwick Papers" remains a beloved classic, appreciated for its humor, warmth, and insight into the human condition and the society of its time.