The Life of Charles Dickens
London: Chapman and Hall, 1872-1874. First edition. Hardcover. 398, 462, 552 pages. 21.5 x 14 cm. Half titles, steel engraved portrait frontispieces in each volume, several plates and wood engravings in text with some light spotting to plates. Bound by Brentano's. Forster knew Dickens intimately since the days of his first triumph with "Pickwick." He was Dickens' guide, philosopher and friend in spite of many rebuffs provoked by Dickens's peremptory temper. Thomas Seccombe in the 11th edition of the "Encyclopedia Britannica" notes, "He relied much on Dickens's letters to himself and produced what must remain the authoritative work." Forster also was Dickens' literary executor which he in turn left (along with the rest of his magnificent library) to the South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria and Albert Museum). Appendix and Index. Raised bands, spine panels richly gilt. some slight nicks to corners and extremities. Three quarter navy morocco. Teg. Near fine. 3 Vols. Item #23576
Price: $990.00