"Books are a hardbound drug with no danger of overdose. I am the happy victim of books."
— Karl Lagerfeld
Charles Dickens | First Editions
1812 - 1870
Charles John Huffam Dickens (7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic, who created created some of the world's best-known fictional characters. Dickens is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity
Most of his novels were published in monthly or weekly instalments, and thus pioneered the serial publication of narrative fiction which became the dominant Victorian mode for novel publication. The instalment format allowed Dickens to evaluate his audience's reaction, and he often modified his plot and character development based on such feedback. His plots were carefully constructed, and he often wove elements from topical events into his narratives. Masses of the illiterate poor chipped in ha'pennies to have each new monthly episode read to them, opening up and inspiring a new class of readers. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
See below our stock of Charles Dickens First Editions, original parts, and fine bindings.
Charles Dickens Museum
The Dickens Fellowship
Dombey and Son
London: Chapman and Hall no date (circa 1870). English literature. Illustrated edition. Thick medium octavo, pp.xviii; 624. With illustrations by H.K. Browne. Original tan claf over plum coloured sides with marbled edges and endpapers. Bookseller ticket to pastedown. Some expected age-toning and spotting else internally fine, binding with a few... More about Dombey and Son
The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit With Illustrations by Phiz
London: Ward Lock and Company no date [circa 1900]. Sixpenny novel format. 8vo. Publisher's pictorial soft card wraps, printed in colour. Minor toning to cheap paper stock, some minor wear to the covers; generally a bright copy of a fragile early paperback. A nice survival. More about The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit With Illustrations by Phiz
Little Dorrit
London: Chapman and Hall No date [circa 1900]. Thick medium octavo, pps.(xiv); 625; [1], blank. Illustrated with thirty-nine engraved plates by H.K.Browne. Publisher's blind-stamped dark green cloth with central wreath device, backstrip ruled in five compartments, lettered in gilt to the second and fourth panels, pale yellow-coloured coated endpapers, edges... More about Little Dorrit
Our Mutual Friend.
London: Chapman and Hall [1896]. CROWN EDITION, in scarce original printed DUST-WRAPPER. Octavo, pp.x; 683; [1], blank. Publisher's russet-coloured buckram blocked in gilt and black, complete with rare paper jacket. With forty illustrations by Martin Stone. One of the author's most famous tales, issued as part of the 'Dickens Crown... More about Our Mutual Friend
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club. With 43 Illustrations by R. Seymour and 'Phiz'.
London: Chapman and Hall no date (circa 1900). Thick medium octavo, pps. (xvi) + 609. Illustrated. The engraved title page displays the 'Weller' sign (altered from 'Veller' in first issue). Publisher's blind-stamped dark green cloth with central wreath device, backstrip ruled in five compartments, lettered in gilt to the second... More about The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club. With 43 Illustrations by R. Seymour and 'Phiz'
Oliver Twist; Or, The Parish Boy's Progress.
London: Chapman and Hall, no date [circa1880]. [English literature] Octavo (22 x 15cm), pp.viii; 311; [1], blank. With twenty-four engraved plates by George Cruikshank. Dark brown half calf to style with gilt to spine, marbled sides, top edge gilt. Internally very clean, exterior unmarked. Title page also refers to 'A... More about Oliver Twist; Or, The Parish Boy's Progress
Oliver Twist; Or, The Parish Boy's Progress.
London: Chapman and Hall, no date [circa1880]. [English literature] FINELY BOUND. Octavo (22 x 15cm), pp.viii; 311; [1], blank. With twenty-four engraved plates by George Cruikshank. Mid green half calf to style with gilt to spine, marbled sides, top edge gilt. Internally clean, plates with a few minor spots, exterior... More about Oliver Twist; Or, The Parish Boy's Progress
The Works of Charles Dickens.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1890-95. [Literature] FINELY BOUND. 24 titles bound in 17 volumes, Octavo (21 x 15 x 62 cm). Contemporary red half calf red with twin green labels, full gilt backs, marbled boards, edges and endpapers. With illustrations from the original plates by Cruikshank, Stone, Phiz, et al.... More about The Works of Charles Dickens
The Chimes. A Goblin Story of some Bells that Rang an Old Yearout and a New Year In.
London: J.M. Dent and Co., 1905. [Short story] FIRST BROCK EDITION IN COLOUR. Octavo (18 x 12cm), pp.[viii]; 167; [3]. Contemporary quarter vellum over blue cloth boards, lettered, decorated in gilt to spine, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. Colour frontispiece and numerous in-text illustrations. Textblock a little shaken with a.... More about The Chimes. A Goblin Story of some Bells that Rang an Old Yearout and a New Year In
The Christmas Books. Being; A Christmas Carol, The Chimes, The Cricket on the Hearth, The Battle of Life and The Haunted Man.
London: J.M. Dent and Co., 1905 and 1907. [English literature]. FIRST BROCK-ILLUSTRATED EDITION. 5 volumes, octavo (18 x 12 x 15cm). With illustrations in colour by Charles Brock. Finely bound in full deep red morocco with raised bands, gilt decoration and gilt titles to spines, marbled endpapers; top edges gilt... More about The Christmas Books. Being; A Christmas Carol, The Chimes, The Cricket on the Hearth, The Battle...
The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit.
London: George G. Harrap and Co., 1932. [Illustrated] BROCK ILLUSTRATIONS, first edition thus. Octavo (25 x 18cm), pp.752. With Sixteen chromolithographic plates, including a frontispiece, by Charles Brock. In publisher's light red cloth with gilt titles to spine, top edge orange, illustrated dust-jacket. Textblock shaken with the endpapers split along... More about The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1873. [Classic Literature]. FINELY BOUND AND ILLUSTRATED. In two volumes. Octavo (22 x 15cm), pp.[4] xviii; 471 [5]; pp.[4] x; 491 [5]. With 43 wood engraved plates by Phiz, including frontispieces and a title page vignette. Contemporary dark brown full morocco with raised bands and gilt... More about The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1839. [Literature] FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, with 'visiter' for 'sister' line 17, page 123, and 'latter' for 'letter' 6 lines up, page 160; the illustrations up to p.45 are First Issue, carrying a 'C+H' imprint (Eckel). No half-title. Octavo, pp.xvi; 624. Contemporary brown full morocco, gilt... More about The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.
London: Chapman and Hall, October 1891. [Classic Literature] FINELY BOUND, with illustrations. Octavo (22 x 17cm), pp.xvi; 624. With 39 engraved plates by 'Phiz' and a frontispiece of the young Dickens by Maclise. Reprinted from stereotype plates. Contemporary green half morocco with raised bands, gilt titles and decoration to spine... More about The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1839. [Classic fiction] BOUND FROM PARTS; early issue text, mixed state plates. Octavo (22 x 15cm), pp.xvi; 624. Contemporary black half calf over marbled paper boards, red title label to spine, all edges speckled. Illustrated with author portrait frontispiece and thirty-nine plates by Phiz and Maclise... More about The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1837. [Classic Literature] FIRST EDITION, EARLY ISSUE: "Veller" title and two "Buss" plates; bound without the half-title. Octavo (22 x 14cm), pp.iii-xvi; 609; [1]. With 41 engraved plates, as well as an engraved frontispiece and decorated title page. Later green half straight grained morocco, with raised... More about The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1837. [Classic Literature] FIRST EDITION, EARLY ISSUE: "Veller" title and all of Smith's first issue text points save for one [found in only one copy], 'Phiz' plates in early states with page numbers as called for but no titles or imprints; bound without the half-title. Octavo... More about The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club
The Personal History of David Copperfield.
London: Bradbury and Evans, 1850. [Classic Literature] FIRST EDITION, Mixed Issue. Octavo (22 x 14cm), pp.[4] xvi; 624 [4]. With the dated title page vignette, but 'screwed' for 'screamed' to page 132, line 20. With 40 steel engravings by Phiz, including frontispiece and title vignette. In a later tan half... More about The Personal History of David Copperfield
The Personal History of David Copperfield.
London: Chapman and Hall, no date [circa 1880]. [Classic Literature] EARLY EDITION. Octavo (22 x 15cm), pp.xvi; 624. With 40 engraved plates by 'Phiz', including a frontispiece and vignette title page. Modern green half morocco with gilt titles to a black label on the spine, further gilt decoration to spine... More about The Personal History of David Copperfield
A Tale of Two Cities. With Illustrations by H. K. Browne.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1859. [Classic Literature] FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, (signature 'b' noted on list of plates; page 213 numbered 113; 'affectionately' misspelled on page 134; the name of 'Stryver' misspelt on plate at page 94). Octavo (22 x 14cm), pp.254, engravings by H.K. Browne. Full green morocco, spine... More about A Tale of Two Cities. With Illustrations by H. K. Browne
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Master Humphrey's Clock [The Old Curiosity Shop; Barnaby Rudge]. With Illustrations by George Cattermole and Hablot Browne.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1840. FIRST EDITION of Barnaby Rudge, The Old Curiosity Shop, and Master Humphrey's Clock. EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED with a further sixty-two plates by Thomas Sibson and four rare plated by Jacob Parrallel. Title page notes 'Illustrations by George Cattermole and Hablot Browne' with no mention of Sibson. Three... More about Master Humphrey's Clock [The Old Curiosity Shop; Barnaby Rudge]. With Illustrations by George...
The Old Curiosity Shop.
London: Chapman and Hall, n.d. [c.1965]. English literature. Illustrated edition. Crown octavo, pp.715. With seventy-five illustrations by Cattermole and 'Phiz'. Original half blue calf, gilt, with five raised bands to spine, buckram sides, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. Internally fine, minor dustiness and wear, spine pleasingly sunned to grey. An..... More about The Old Curiosity Shop
Barnaby Rudge. With illustrations by H. K. Browne and George Cattermole.
London: Chapman and Hall, n.d. [c.1850's]. FINELY BOUND, early edition. Octavo, pp.[2] x, 613 [3]. With frequent wood engravings. In contemporary burgundy half calf with raised bands and gilt titles to spine. Marbled boards and endpapers; top edge gilt. Spine sunned. Some rubbing to joints and fore-edges, otherwise very good... More about Barnaby Rudge. With illustrations by H. K. Browne and George Cattermole
The Old Curiosity Shop.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1851. [Classic Literature] EARLY CHEAP EDITION. Octavo (20 x 14cm), pp.viii; 344. Printed in two columns, with a frontispiece wood engraving after Cattermole. Publisher's green blind decorated cloth, neatly rebacked with the original cloth laid on. Gilt titles and decoration to spine. Yellow coated endpapers; all... More about The Old Curiosity Shop
The Old Curiosity Shop.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1848. [Classic Literature] FIRST CHEAP EDITION. Octavo (18 x 13cm), pp.[4] viii; 344; [4]. With a frontispiece engraved by Thomas Williams, after Cattermole. Contemporary black half calf with raised bands, gilt titles and decoration to spine, and marbled paper over boards. Green endpapers. Neat ownership to... More about The Old Curiosity Shop