Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby

£875 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

'Nicholas Nickleby originally appeared in twenty numbers, bound in nineteen monthly parts, the last part forming a double number, from April 1838-October 1839. It was published in book form on October 23, 1839 [priced at] 21s.' (Smith I, 5, p. 43) First edition in book form, early issue, ('latter' for 'letter', p. 160; 'flys' for 'flies', p. 245; 'visiters' for 'visitors', p. 272, 'incontestible' for 'incontestable' p. 297, 'suprise' for 'surprise' p. 586); 8vo (22 x 14.5 cm); half-title, engraved portrait of Dickens after Daniel Maclise with tissue-guard, 39 engraved plates by H.K. Browne [Phiz], frontispiece, first, second and fourth illustrations in first state with imprint of Chapman and Hall (cf. Smith I, 5, p. 42), ink ownership inscription to front endpaper (1937) and half-title (1841), light spotting to a few leaves and occasional plate, primarily frontispiece, age-toning and occasional spot or mark (as expected), else a very good copy; finely bound by Bayntun of Bath, modern half red morocco over red cloth boards lined in gilt, spine in 6 compartments with one-line gilt-panelled border, gilt lettering second and fourth and gilt emblem to others, marble endpapers, all edges gilt, light abrasion to upper board (approx. 1-2 cm), small dark mark to upper board, spine a little faded, general light signs of wear to extremities, else very good; [xvi], 624pp.

• Printing: first
• Binding: Hardcover

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