'THE GHOSTLY PASSENGERS IN THE GHOST OF A MAIL', An original illustration by "Phiz" for THE POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF THE PICKWICK CLUB. Signed and Inscribed by Charles Dickens.

by DICKENS, Charles; illustrated by BROWNE, Halbot K. "Phiz":

$50,674 · Offered by Biblio

First edition · Signed

Original artwork. c.1836. An original drawing by Halbot K. Browne [ Phiz ] illustrating Charles Dickens first novel. Ink and wash, heightened in white on paper. Signed and humorously inscribed by the author in black ink Charles Dickens, his X mark upper right. The image measures 17.8 x 13.2cm. In very good condition with some toning and a few light foxing spots. Laid down and mounted. The mount measures 28 x 22.8cm and is inscribed in a later hand in black ink The Ghostly Passengers in the Ghost of a Mail by Phiz . Housed in a quarter red calf slipcase and silk cloth chemise, with titles in gilt to the spine. A remarkable Dickens artifact, bringing together the author and his preferred illustrator at the very beginning of their career-long partnership. First issued in 20 weekly parts between March 1836 to November 1837, The Pickwick Papers skyrocketed the young Dickens from obscurity to the position of the best-selling novelist of his time. This is the original drawing from which the engraving was made. The printed illustration appears (in reverse) in part 17 of the parts issue, and as plate 37, opposite page 523 of the first state of the published work in book form. The author s inscription is a wonderfully humorous reference to an episode in the novel when Pickwick discovers an old stone seemingly engraved with the words X / BILST / UM / PHSI / S.M. / ARK . Believing it to be of Roman origin, he buys it from the owner, a farmer, for 10 shillings and later takes it back to L

• Publisher: Original artwork. c.1836
• Edition: First Edition
• Printing: first
• Binding: hardcover

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