Books

London, Chapman and Hall, 1865. . First edition, bound from the original parts, two volumes bound as one, 8vo., [a]4, b2, B-X8; [vii], viii-xii, 320; engraved title and 20 plates; Vol. II. [A]3, B-U8, X4; [iii-v], vi-viii, 310, [2]; 20 plates; both half-titles present, even age-toning, occasional spotting to some plate margins, otherwise very good indeed; 20th century half navy blue calf over cloth gilt, one set of the original part wrappers bound in, the upper wrapper dated September 1865, top edge gilt, in fine condition. An attractive first edition of Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens, one of his most enduring novels: 'Our Mutual Friend had a mixed reception (the young Henry James's harshly dismissive review in The Nation is notorious) but its stock has risen dramatically in recent years and it is now generally regarded as one of his very greatest works.' (ODNB). Sadleir 697; Smith I, 15; Wolff 1809.

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.