Books

London: Chapman & Hall, 1844. First Edition [in book form; published serially by "Boz" from 1843 to 1844, then by Chapman in this form in 1844]. Half brown morocco and marbled boards, spine titled and decorated in gilt, marbled page edges. xiv, (errata sheet), 624 pp. Illustrated with 40 plates designed & etched on steel by Hablot K. Browne (Phiz), including frontispiece & added title. Smith Vol. I, 7 - The vignette title with "�100" sign on signpost, the first numeral somewhat thickened ( Smith says all three states of the plate were simultaneous and used interchangeably). Binding a bit rubbed; hinges cracked but firmly bound; ownership inscription on flyleaf, "John Parris 1847.", inked, with creasing and sticker residue to same leaf, plates foxed and soiled, one plate remounted, light to moderate foxing to pages. Bright and handsome. Dickens' "adventure" classic and without doubt his most exciting novel, and one he loved well himself, in which the Ironic Wit sets forth a plot now beloved to novelists and moviemakers alike - the rich old dude who doesn't trust any of his money-grubbing kin, and must find a way to select the proper heir. Incomparably complemented by the Phiz illustrations. Handsome and strong copy of a classic, elegantly bound. L-31n.