The Personal History of David Copperfield.

DICKENS, Charles.

$9,800.00

Item Number: 96035

London: Bradbury and Evans, May 1849 - November 1850.

First edition in the original monthly parts of “the most perfect of all the Dickens novels” (Virginia Woolf). Octavo, original blue-green illustrated paper wrappers, twenty parts in nineteen, frontispiece, vignette title-page and thirty-eight additional inserted plates. In near fine condition, an unrestored example of Dickens’ classic work which is virtually complete with all preliminary advertisements with the exception of the slips after plates parts 9, 13, 14, and 16; all front advertisements in part 11 and the “Household Words” advertisement in part 15. With all of the rear advertisements with the exception of “The Theory of Musical Composition”, “Illustrated Weekly Journal” and “Penny Maps” in part 15, and all advertisements in parts 2 and 8. Housed in two custom full morocco and chemise boxes. From the library of Peggy and Steve Fossett with their bookplate to the pastedown. Scarce and desirable in the original parts which were “much read and roughly handled,” with “fine, clean and unrepaired copies difficult to procure” even in 1932 (Hatton & Cleaver pp.253-272; Sadleir 686; Yale/Gimbel A121).

“With many lovers of the author’s works David Copperfield ranks as the finest of his writings. With a book which gave to the world such characters as Betsy Trotwood, Micawber, the Pegottys and Mr. Dick…. it would be strange if it had been otherwise” (Eckel, 77). “Dickens and Browne are the most celebrated author-artist team in the history of English book illustration,” and Copperfield was their “most popular success” (Hodnett, 111-12). "Charles Dickens and Hablot Knight Browne are the most celebrated author-artist team in the history of English book illustration," and Copperfield was their "most popular success" (Hodnett, 111-12).