DICKENS, Charles (1812-1870)

[Original Cloth] The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby . . . With Illustrations by 'Phiz'

London: Chapman & Hall, 193, Piccadilly [from 1839], n.d. [c. 1865]. First Edition. Decorative Cloth. Early Issue of Dickens's first commercial triumph, the novel that established his lasting reputation. Issued in 1865 or earlier, based on printer's imprint (verso of title page), possibly as early as 1852, when Chapman & Hall moved from 186 Strand to 193 Piccadilly. Thick demy 8vo (219 x 131mm): xvi,624pp, Illustrated with frontispiece author's portrait and 39 full-page plates. Publisher's original olive green fine-diaper cloth, covers framed in blind with triple rule enclosing inner blind-stamped frame of chain-like design, ornament of stems and leaves in corners (identical to cloth covers of primary binding of Dombey and Son); spine ruled in five panels, lettered in gilt to second and fourth; coated pale yellow end papers; edges rough- trimmed. Armorial book plate of A. G. W. Skirrow (modified in manuscript by W. A. Telford) to front paste-down. An unusually clean copy, both pages and plates, in well-preserved original decorative cloth binding, spine toned to a pleasing brown. A most attractive copy in the same format as the first edition. OCLC 19920519. Near Fine+. Item #BB1922

Reprint from plates of the first book edition, first published 1839. Dickens's fifth published novel, originally issued in 19 monthly parts, the final part a double number. Writing it, he attempted to create something more ambitious than either the Pickwick Papers or Oliver Twist. The novel has a comparatively simple structure, but in the manner of older novels that Dickens admired, such as Fielding's Joseph Andrews, it has a multiplicity of plots, all of which in some way connect to the penniless young hero. Nickleby was an immediate success, selling nearly 50,000 copies, earning profits of £14,000 for the serial publication alone, and attracting more notice than Dickens had previously received previously. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Price: $424.00