Books

First edition in book form of Dickens's last completed novel. "Its stock has risen dramatically in recent years and it is now generally regarded as one of his very greatest works" (ODNB). It was first issued in parts from May 1864 to November 1865. Two vols, octavo. Original purple cloth, Virtue binder's ticket to rear pastedown of vol. II, spines lettered in gilt, covers panelled in blind, light yellow endpapers. Housed in custom red cloth solander box. With 40 wood engravings including frontispieces; 36-page publisher's catalogue at rear of vol. I dated January 1865 and 4-page catalogue at rear of vol. II dated November 1865 (the months of publication of each vol.). Recent bookplate of collector Peter Russell mounted to inside cover of box. Spines lightly sunned and rubbed, neatly recased with repair to spine ends and inner hinges, half-titles tipped-in on guards, vol. II with repair to closed tear at head of front free endpaper, slight foxing to contents. Still a very good copy. Eckel pp. 94-5; Kremers pp. 112-117; Smith I, 15.

Charles Dickens's last completed novel, a work of satire and social commentary that paints a vivid portrait of the dualities of wealth and poverty in London.