Auction Name: 2025 December 15 Rare Books Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 45023

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6323*45023

Charles Dickens. Dombey and Son. London: Bradbury and Evans, October 1846 - April 1848.

20 parts in 19, 8vo. Etched frontispiece, vignette title, and 38 etched or lithographic plates by and after Hablot K. Browne ("Phiz"). Original blue-green pictorial printed wrappers, uncut; housed in a limp cloth chemise and full calf slipcase.

FIRST EDITION IN THE ORIGINAL MONTHLY PARTS, early issue, with the 12-line errata in part V, the earliest 2-line errata in Part 19/20, and uncorrected text with "Delight" twice mentioned instead of "Joy" on p. 284 in Part 9, "Capatin" for "Captain" on p. 324 (last line) in Part 11, "if" lacking on p. 426 (line 9) in Part 14, but with the later "431" pagination present in Part 14. Additionally, this set has the textual error not mentioned in Hatton and Cleaver in the dedication at the end of Part 19/20 which here reads "The Marchioness of Normanby" rather than "Normandy." Two parts in this set are without any ads (Parts 2 and 4) and it would seem this is how they were issued; all other parts conform to the ads described by Hatton & Cleaver. Part 2 wrapper is completely blank, except for the front; Hatton & Cleaver describe this feature as evidence of a later printing.

Condition: A few chips and tears/splits to the spines of Part 1 and 19/20; some other minor chips or spot to spines; some covers with corners folded or slightly curled; occasional light rubbing or soiling; Part 18 stitching is very loose. Plates are generally quite clean, with only occasional spotting, with these exceptions: Part 1 plates darkened from previous inserts; Part 2 plates slightly foxed; Part 19/20 first plate slightly foxed. Overall, an exceptional set in very fine original unrestored condition without significant soiling, wear, or blemishes.

References: Eckel, pp. 74-76; Hatton & Cleaver 227-250; Yale/Gimbel A102.

Provenance: Faint pencil ownership name in upper margin of four parts ("Capt. Fuller R.N. Bear Hill"), but no other ownership markings. The Library of a Minnesota Collector.

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