Books

[272pp]: [iv], 268 (last two leaves blank, with two leaves of ads preceding); gilt-embossed brown cloth; 241 x 160 x 26 mm. Second binding (woman in black), second state ads (August 1860, Mulock). Originally serialized in Charles Dickens's brand-new weekly, All the Year Round (26 November 1859 through 25 August 1860), the single-volume American edition may have preceded the three-volume British edition slightly (14 August 1860). Attractive calligraphic inscription on first flyleaf: "Lavinia Hood Gibbs / From her Husband / Cannington October 29th / A.D. 1860". The recipient, nee Lavinia Hood Thompson (8 October 1811 - 26 June 1893) of Ramsbury Wiltshire, was the wife (1849-92) of Charles Gibbs (1819-92) from Ballyhein Ireland, first Postmaster (1849) of Cannington (est 1827) Ontario. First fly clipped 1cm at lower corner. Gilt on spine still bright, with light wear at foot & a 3cm split near foot of upper joint. Bottom tips worn. Light intermittent foxing without other marks. An attractive well-preserved copy of the author's highspot.