Dealings with the Firm of Dombey and Son, Wholesale, Retail and Exportation.

DICKENS, Charles (1812-1870), [PHIZ, pseudonym of H.K. BROWNE, illustrator].

London: Bradbury and Evans, 1848. [Classic Literature] FIRST EDITION, Mixed Issue. Octavo (22 x 15cm), pp.xviii; 624 [2]. With 40 engraved plates by Phiz, including a frontispiece and vignette title. Extra-illustrated with later engraved plates by Chapman and Hall, depicting Little Paul, Florence, Edith and Alice. Lacks the half-title. Contains most first issue points, but 'Birds-Eye' is hyphenated in the Contents and the page number is printed to p.431. Contemporary tan half calf, with gilt titles to black label, further gilt decoration to spine, and marbled paper over boards. All edges speckled red, and marbled endpapers. Moderate spotting to plates and facing leaves, as well as preliminary and final blank leaves. Quite heavy spotting to frontispiece and vignette title. Moderate general wear to binding; upper joint and hinge just starting. Very good. This landmark novel weaves together a number of stories concerning a self-important merchant and his two children. Dickens takes aim at arranged marriages, and along the way deals with child cruelty, broken and abusive familial relationships, and the fears elicited by the advent of the railway - which, towards the end of his life, Dickens was to experience for himself while writing Our Mutual Friend. Item #66280

Price: £250.00