Description
The first edition, first issue of Bleak House by Charles Dickens, complete with 40 illustrated plates by H.K. Browne.
Thick octavo, xvi, 624pp. Three-quarter green morocco, marbled paper covered boards. Five raised bands, title in gilt over red label affixed to spine. All edges marbled with matching marbled endpapers. Finely bound by Smyth & Company of Berry Street in Liverpool, with bindery imprint on verso of free endpaper. Solid text block, some rubbing to boards, some light foxing throughout.
This is the first complete issue, with internal flaws listed in Smith. Includes all five errata points listed on Page xvi, notably the inclusions of “Mr. Gusher” and “Leonard”. Complete with 40 full-page black and white plates, including a vignette title page. The plate opposite Page 23 is incorrectly bound in opposite Page 13.
(Smith 10) (Eckel 78) (Hatton & Cleaver 275)
Bleak House was originally published as a 20-part serial published from March 12, 1852 through September 12, 1853.
