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First edition, bound from the original monthly parts. "David Copperfield received considerable critical acclaim and before long was widely held to be his greatest work. Undoubtedly it became for very many readers, then as now, his best-loved novel, an opinion in which Dickens himself coincided, calling it in a preface to the book of 1867 his 'favourite child'" (ODNB). The binder, Thomas Armstrong (b. 1784), was the nephew and namesake of one of the five "Martyr Bookbinders". In 1786, the elder Thomas Armstrong (d. 1816) was sentenced to two years imprisonment along with four other journeymen binders for unionizing and striking over their 13-hour workdays. "No sooner had 'the victims' been conveyed to prison, than the journeymen throughout the trade felt new ardour in the case... The strike was successful, and after the trial was over even the prosecuting master [binders] gave way to the men's demand" (British Bookmaker, pp. 119-20). The younger Armstrong worked for his uncle and was later in partnership with Robert Fairbairn, son of Thomas Fairbairn, another member of the "martyred" five. The other three were William Craig, William Lilbourne, and William Wood, who died in prison. Octavo (213 x 127 mm). Contemporary green half calf by the younger Thomas Armstrong, red spine label, compartments ruled in gilt, blue cloth sides ruled in blind, marbled endpapers, edges speckled red, binder's ticket on front pastedown. Etched frontispiece, vignette title page, and 38 plates, by H. K. Browne. Front pastedown with an early 20th-century commercially produced bookplate, the blank area for the owner's name left blank. Upper edges sunned, a couple of small scuffs to leather, wear to corners, inner hinges split, remaining sound, oxidization to a few plates, closed tear to upper margin of pp. 49/50 & 209/10. A very good copy. Eckel, p. 77; Hatton & Cleaver, p. 253; Howe, p. 3; Kremers, pp. 97-100; Ramsden, p. 30; Smith I 9. British Bookmaker, vol. 5, 1892.

Considered one of Charles Dickens' most popular works, 'David Copperfield' is a rich tapestry of Victorian life, blending humor, tragedy, and romance in a vibrant narrative.