Dickens, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, 1837, rare two volume edition

DICKENS, CHARLES

The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club. London: Chapman and Hall, 1837

8vo (224 x 138mm.), 2 volumes, FIRST EDITION IN BOOK FORM, later issue, half-title, printed title-pages dated 1837 each with volume number, 2pp. Address by the Author, 4pp. Preface, 4pp. Contents, 2pp. Directions to the Binder/Errata, engraved frontispiece, pictorial title-page and 41 plates by R. Seymour and H.K. Browne ["Phiz"], plates all later issues with publisher imprint, caption and signature, later issue text throughout, original purplish-black fine diaper cloth, covers stamped in blind with linear border enclosing central triple-line panel, spines lettered in gilt, with 5 linear rectangular panels, pale yellow endpapers, collector's maroon cloth folders and folding case, spine lettered in gilt, plates browned, upper hinges cracked, covers slightly faded, volume one neatly restored with loss at head and foot, volume two slightly chipped at head  

THE RARE TWO-VOLUME EDITION IN THE ORIGINAL CLOTH. Smith notes the existence of a few two-volume copies with suggestions it was an early abandoned format. The presence of later issue plates, including the Phiz replacement plates for Buss, and late issue text in this copy might suggest otherwise. Two-volume issues in original cloth remain uncommon however. 

REFERENCE:

Smith I:3; Eckel pp. 17-78; Hatton and Cleaver pp. 1-88

PROVENANCE:

John Brock Wood, bookplates