Master Humphrey's Clock [The Old Curiosity Shop; Barnaby Rudge].

DICKENS, Charles (1812-1870), [CATTERMOLE, George, and BROWNE, Hablot, illustrators].

London: Chapman and Hall, 1840-41. [English Literature] FIRST EDITION in book-form. 3 volumes bound as two, quartos (25 x 17 x 9cm), pp.[2] iv; 306, pp.vi; 306, pp.vi; 426 [4]. With illustrations by George Cattermole and Hablot Browne. Bound in early twentieth-century half native red morocco, gilt, over green buckram sides. Internally clean, no inscriptions. Bindings a little rubbed and shelf worn, wear to joints, with repair to joints of volume two with associated chip. A very good pair which shows well. First Edition in Book Form; originally a weekly periodical edited and written entirely by Charles Dickens from April 4, 1840 - December 4, 1841; Narrator Master Humphrey was a lonely man who lived in London. He keeps old manuscripts in an antique grandfather clock by the chimney-corner, and decides to start a little club, called Master Humphrey's Clock, where the members, including Mr. Pickwick himself, have a penchant for telling stories. In the book, several short tales are recounted, followed by the novels 'The Old Curiosity Shop', which follows the life of the beautiful and virtuous Little Nell and her Grandfather, and 'Barnaby Rudge', Dickens first effort at historical fiction, set during London's non-Popery 'Gordon' Riots (Protestant rallying against the Roman Catholic Relief Act, 1778). Item #70442

Podeschi; Gimbel Catalogue. Eckel [p67], Grolier Exhibition, Slater; Suzannet Catalogue. Collins; Dickens and Crime (1962).

Price: £275.00 save 50% £137.50