Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi. Edited by “Boz.”

DICKENS, Charles.

$975.00

Item Number: 121730

London: Richard Bentley, 1838.

First edition of Dickens’ popular retelling of the memoirs of celebrated English clown Joseph Grimaldi. Octavo, 2 volumes, original publisher’s decorated dark green cloth with gilt titles and gilt pictorial vignettes to the spines, frontispiece portrait of Grimaldi and 12 illustrations by George Cruikshank. With the 36-page undated publisher’s catalogue bound-in at the end of vol.2. and plate facing page 238 in the second state. In fine condition. Housed in two half morocco and chemise slipcases.

After the legendary pantomime's death, Dickens was invited by Richard Bentley to edit and improve Thomas Egerton Wilks's clumsily written Life of Grimaldi, which had been based on the clown's own notes, which Dickens did under his regular nom de plume, "Boz". As a child, Dickens saw Grimaldi perform at the Star Theatre, Rochester, in 1820. The Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi, illustrated by George Cruikshank, sold well, to Dickens's surprise.