Books

Marbled boards, matching endpapers. Rebacked, inner hinges re-inforced. Top edge gilt, spine lettered in gilt. Some old crackling of spine leather. Armorial book-plates front endpapers (discussed later in description). Half-title, directions to binder, and 6-line errata page are present. This copy has 24 of 26 flaws as listed by Smith, and 4 of 6 first issue points as listed by Hatton and Cleaver. This copy is also EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED with a thirty-two page collection of the "Thomas Onwhyn Plates" bound-in at the end. These were separately printed by E. Gratton and added to some copies, either placed through the text or as a collection at the end, such as our copy. This copy has the two Buss plates present as well. In all, there are 43 full-page plates, collated complete, by Robert Seymour, Robert Buss, and Hablot Knight Brown (Phiz and Nemo). Some of the plates show peripheral browning, others are much less so. The sign on the illustrated title-page reads "Tony Weller", the foot stool has 6 stripes and the chair 4 stripes. Text is clean throughout with occasional spots of peripheral foxing only. 609pp. + the 32pp. of Onwhyn plates. The book-plates are of Rodman Wanamaker (1863-1928) and his son John. Wanamaker was a New York businessman, heir to the Wanamaker department store empire. He was a patron of the arts, an early proponent of the PGA (Professional Golf Association). a strong supporter of American Indian education and aviation. Eckels p.17, Gimbel A16, Smith 1:3, and Hatton and Cleaver pp1-88. Size: Crown Octavo.

"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.