Dickens, Pictures from Italy, 1846, first edition

DICKENS, CHARLES

Pictures from Italy. London: Bradbury and Evans for the author, 1846

8vo (173 x 111mm.), first edition, woodcut illustrations by Samuel Palmer, advertisement leaves at the beginning and end, original blue vertically grained cloth decorated in blind, spine lettered in gilt, preserved in red cloth folding box, very minor spotting, minor edge wear to binding

Dickens had agreed to edit Bradbury and Evans's new national newspaper the Daily News at the beginning of 1846, but despite the author's phenomenal energy he was unable to combine it with his other commitments and he resigned on 9 February, less than two weeks after the first issue appeared. But he continued to write for the paper, notably a series of "Travelling Letters" (21 January – 11 March), describing his recent journey through France and sojourn in Italy, and five letters (23 February – 16 March) powerfully arguing against capital punishment. The "Travelling Letters" formed the basis for this, his second travel book.

REFERENCE:

Eckel p.126