The Pickwick Papers [and] The Postumous Papers of the Pickwick Club. With forty-three illustrations by R. Seymour and Phiz.

2 vol., 8vo: xiv-[2]- 609-[1 bl.) pp. (incl. 3 extra ff. between 306-307, i.e. 2 blank ff. and an extra typographical title; usual spotting, browning and foxing throughout, some traces of use, clear dampstaining esp. in lower half of vol. I, plates rather heavily browned (as often)).

Later blind-decorated half calf, marbled paper on covers, spine with gilt morocco label, green silk markers.

First edition in book form of Dickens’s first novel, showcasing his astounding talent for sketching charming, sympathetic characters. "Its main literary value and appeal was formed by its numerous memorable characters. The Pickwick Papers are mostly a series of humorous misadventures, with a bit of satire, that give some insight into the mores of Victorian society." (Inverarity). Dickens (1812-1870) was asked to contribute to the project as an up-and-coming writer following the success of Sketches by Boz, published in 1836. The novel was first published in serial form from March 1836 to November 1837, before being published as an independent book. Dickens (still writing under the pseudonym of Boz) increasingly took over the unsuccessful monthly publication after the original illustrator Robert Seymour had committed suicide. The publication, which ran through twenty numbers, made for all time an English classic - a book representative of its age, exhibiting the life and the ideals of an important class of English folk, on the threshold of the Victorian era.
Early issue, with a number of "points", e.g. 1st line of 2nd paragraph of ch. V with "ruined wall" (p. 43), "hodling" instead of "holding" (p. 260), p. 261 l. 6 "Picvick" for "Pickwick" as well as the rare signature misprint reading "X2"; the engr. title page has "Weller" on the signboard above the inn door. This copy with "Directions to the Binder" leaf with 6-line errata on verso, pages 25-26 a single inset leaf, that and the following leaf both bearing the signature mark "E", pp. 282 and 299 both with "Chapter XXVIII", p. 303 lacking last "3", p. 342 l. 5 with uncorrected "S. Veller", p. 553 with "Considdring" for "Considering". Bound with at the end of vol. II one blue wrapper of the serial publication.
Engr. front., engr. title and 41 engr. plates by Robert Seymour, Robert William Buss (p. 74 only) and Hablot K. Browne (alias Phiz), most of these in early state with page numbers rather than captions, and without the Chapman and Hall imprints.
Ref. Gimbel A15. - Grolier (100 English) 78. - Hatton & Cleaver, pp. 3-88.
Prov. George Herbert (contemp. ownershp entry and bookpl. in both vol.).