Our Mutual Friend.

DICKENS, Charles.

$1,500.00

Item Number: 149951

London: Chapman and Hall, 1865.

First edition of this classic novel that explores effects of capitalism and the arbitrary nature of social hierarchy. Octavo, bound in full polished calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt turnins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, tissue-guarded frontispiece, engraved vignette titles, illustrations done by Marcus Stone. In near fine condition, bookplate to the front pastedown. Housed in a custom marbled slipcase. An exceptional example.

Charles Dickens’ explores themes of wealth, identity, and social class through the inheritance of a fortune by the presumed-dead John Harmon, who disguises himself to observe those around him. The novel critiques materialism and social mobility, particularly through Lizzie Hexam’s struggles and Eugene Wrayburn’s moral awakening. With irony and dark humor, Dickens condemns greed and class divisions while emphasizing redemption and love.