Our Mutual Friend.

DICKENS, Charles (1812-1870), [STONE, Marcus, illustrator].

London: Chapman and Hall, 1865. [English Literature] FIRST EDITION, First issue text with 'pricipal' for 'principal', page 115 of volume II, line 38. Complete in two volumes, bound as one, without half-titles. Octavo (22 x 15cm), pp.xii; 320; viii; 309 [3]. With 40 engraved plates by Stone, including a frontispiece to each volume. Contemporary maroon half morocco, with raised bands, gilt titles and decoration to spine, and marbled paper over boards. All edges and endpapers marbled. Black ink ownership to dedication page in first volume. Heavy spotting to endpapers, and to the title page and facing plate. Light or moderate spotting to plates, otherwise internally clean. Moderate general wear to binding, with some rubbing to joints and sunning to spine. Head-cap slightly pulled. Very good. Preceding Dickens' final crime-based work 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood', 'Our Mutual Friend' (1864–65), is his last completed novel. It concerns money, and what money can make of life. John Harmon, a wealthy young heir, is supposed drowned and, in a case of mistaken identity, his estate is passed to Boffin, a former servant of his father. John must infiltrate the Boffin household and gain their trust and friendship in order to regain his fortune. Item #71875

Price: £350.00