Books

First US editions, first states. Parts 1 to 4 (appearing between 5 November 1836 and 20 September 1837) precede the first book edition in London, which was published by Chapman and Hall on 17 November 1837. The fifth part of the American edition appeared on 29 December. Part I is particularly scarce in first state, being issued in only 1,500 copies as the author was entirely unknown, and reissued as sales increased of the later parts. The edition was a piracy, part of a number of publications by American firms of British authors, taking advantage of the lack of international copyright agreements. Henry Charles Carey did offer the author £25 for the parts of Pickwick which they had already printed in June 1837, but Dickens declined on principle, instead only requesting a copy of the edition. Five vols, duodecimo. Uncut in the original pink quarter cloth and boards, printed paper labels. Housed in custom red folding chemises within red cloth solander box. Incomplete: part III lacking pp. 105-108, part IV lacking pp. 201-204. Early pencil and ink ownership inscription to front endpapers, bookseller's label to part I. Hinges weak or cracked, boards slightly discoloured, spines faded and slightly chipped at head and foot, labels slightly rubbed and chipped with some loss of text, contents foxed, part II with flaw at fore-edge p. 101 and pp. 139-146 loose. A somewhat defective, but entirely unsophisticated copy, in the rare original boards which are overall in a very good state of preservation. Smith First American Editions 2; Gimbel A19.

"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.