Books

First edition, an exceptionally nice copy in the publisher's cloth, bound mostly from the original parts with the stab holes visible, with the bookplates of the prominent collector Viscount Esher, sold in his sale at Sotheby's in 1946 (lot 532). Dickens's last completed novel, "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). Two volumes, octavo. Original purple cloth, Virtue binder's ticket to rear pastedown, spines lettered in gilt, covers panelled in blind, light yellow endpapers. Housed in custom brown cloth solander boxes by Riviere & Son. With 40 wood engravings including frontispieces; 4pp. publisher's catalogue at rear dated November 1865 in vol. II (not essential in either volume). With the slip preceding p. 1, as Eckel calls for, although in fact not essential. Bookplates to front pastedown (see note) and label with portrait of Dickens to front free endpapers, contemporary bookseller's ticket (S. & T. Gilbert) to front pastedown of vol. II. Some very light rubbing to bindings but still very bright and fresh, contents and edges foxed without marking or wear, a couple preliminary leaves unopened in each; an excellent 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.