Dickens, David Copperfield, 1850, American edition

DICKENS, CHARLES

The Personal History and Experience of David Copperfield, the Younger. New York: John Wiley, 1850

12mo (186 x 122mm.), 2 volumes, 40 woodcut plates by J.W. Orr after designs by Hablot K. Browne including additional illustrated title and frontispiece in volume 1, ORIGINAL VIOLET CLOTH, covers decorated in blind, spines lettered gilt, endpapers and paste-downs carrying publisher's advertisements, some foxing throughout, slight wear to binding

Traditionally this was often termed the first American book edition of David Copperfield, following on from the first editions in parts published by Wiley/Putnam (New York) and Lea and Blanchard (Philadelphia) in 1849 and 1850. However there was also a complete edition issued in wrappers published by W.F. Burgess (New York) also in 1850 which the bibliographer Walter E. Smith maintains precedes it.

REFERENCE:

Smith First American Editions 8; Gimbel A124