Dickens, David Copperfield, 1850, first edition in book form, possible special publisher's binding

DICKENS, CHARLES

The Personal History of David Copperfield. London: Chapman and Hall, 1850

8vo (211 x 130 mm.), FIRST EDITION IN BOOK FORM, engraved frontispiece, additional title (earlier issue, with date) and 38 plates after Hablot K. Browne ('Phiz'), contemporary pebbled green morocco, covers with fillets in black, spine in five compartments with raised bands and lettering in gilt, all edges gilt, pale yellow endpapers, some spotting and oxidisation to plates, upper hinge starting, slight wear to edges of binding

This binding is possibly one of the special publisher's bindings advertised in the parts issue of Pickwick, prepared for a number of Dickens' works around this period (see copy of Pickwick, sold in these rooms, 16 December 2010, lot 114; and also copy of Nicholas Nickleby, lot 115; also lots 24, 132 and 161 in present sale). For a copy presented by Dickens to the toolmaker Brookes of Sheffield, see next lot.

REFERENCE:

Smith I:8

PROVENANCE:

Henry Gillett, armorial bookplate