Bleak House
London: Bradbury & Evans, March 1852-September 1853. First edition. leather_bound. 624 [16] [16] [14] pages. 22 x 13.5 cm. From The Library of Jean Hersholt, with his signed bookplate inside of slipcase. First edition in the original 20 issues in 19 parts, with 40 inserted plates, including frontispiece and vignette title by Hablot K. Browne. With the Bleak House advertiser in each, back cover ad wrapper in first state, issues one to five, lacks the eight page "Grace Aguilar's Works," slip in part 16; however, all others are retained, and with the scarce "Village Pastor" booklet in part 15. Also, lacks the "New Geographical and Educational Works" ad in part XIV. First issue of the text, uncorrected thus: in Part 1. p.19 line six with "eligible" & Part VII, p.209, line 23 with "chair." Part IX, p.275, line 22 with "cousinship" [i-vii]vii-x[xi]xii-xiv[xv]xvi,[1]2-624. Spines expertly renewed on a few parts. Some light soil to a few wrappers. Neat subscriber's name to margin of Part XIX/XX. Tissue guards in place. Plates of Parts VIII,IX, and XII lightly tanned at edges, but not affecting illustrations. Two of the ten dark plates with light offsetting onto the adjacent plate. Remaining plates are very good to fine. Part X unopened, ergo unread. Overall a sharp set. Dickens's assault on the abuses in the Courts of Chancery, "many of the characters in the book were identified as having for their prototypes several of Dickens's friends." (ECKEL pp.79-81). HATTON AND CLEAVER, pp.275-304. Housed in full crimson morocco felt lined clamshell box with raised bands, spine panels with gilt arabesques and lettering (expert repair to front hinge). Near fine. Item #24348
Price: $3,250.00