The Pic Nic Papers.

DICKENS, Charles.

$650.00

Item Number: 147636

London: Henry Colburn, 1841.

First edition, first issue of this anthology edited by Charles Dickens. Small octavo, three volumes, bound in three quarter morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, frontispiece to each volume, all edges red, with illustrations by George Cruikshank. In very good condition, bookplates to the front pastedown.

The three-volume anthology originated by Dickens to benefit the widow and children of 28-year-old publisher John Macrone. In 1838, Dickens began soliciting submissions, and wrote the Introduction, rewrote his un-acted farce The Lamplighter, altering the name to The Lamplighter's Story, and edited the first two volumes. DIckens raised 450 pounds from this charitable publication for Macrone's widow. Other contributors included William Harrison Ainsworth, Thomas Moore, Leitch Ritchie and Agnes Strickland.