Chapman & Hall Illustrated Dickens Library, 30 volumes

A wonderful, uniform collection of Dicken’s works. This set came about due to Dickens’ wishes to create an “elegant edition to elevate the stature of his writings.” Far from the cheaper, mass-produced serial-isations that had characterised his works prior, these sets were created to appeal to wealthy subscribers.

This particular set comes from the second run of these editions. The first run was limited to Dickens’ most popular novels and only featured illustrated frontispieces. This edition was expanded to include all of the works “Dickens wished to preserve.”

In the years after Dickens's death, Chapman and Hall brought the works together in this Illustrated Library Edition. It was set in specially cast type on better paper than earlier collected editions and sold at the considerable price of fifteen pounds for the set.

Few authors have been as closely bound to their illustrators as Dickens. This edition also includes a drastically enhanced illustration programme: each volume contains an extended range of illustrations throughout from Dickens’ most famous collaborators: Cruickshanks, Phiz, Stone, Leech, Stanfield, and others.

The Full List of Titles is:

1. Sketches by Boz
2. Pickwick Papers, vol.I
3. Pickwick Papers, vol.II
4. Oliver Twist
5. Nicholas Nickleby, vol.I
6. Nicholas Nickleby, vol.II
7. The Old Curiosity Shop (with Reprinted Pieces), vol.I
8. The Old Curiosity Shop (with Reprinted Pieces), vol.II
9. Barnaby Rudge (with Hard Times), vol.I
10. Barnaby Rudge (with Hard Times), vol.II
11. American Notes and Pictures from Italy
12. Martin Chuzzlewit, vol.I
13. Martin Chuzzlewit, vol.II
14. Christmas Books
15. Dombey and Son, vol.I
16. Dombey and Son, vol.II
17. David Copperfield, vol.I
18. David Copperfield, vol.II
19. A Child's History of England
20. Bleak House, vol.I
21. Bleak House, vol.II
22. Little Dorrit, vol.I
23. Little Dorrit, vol.II
24. A Tale of Two Cities
25. The Uncommercial Traveller
26. Great Expectations
27. Our Mutual Friend, vol.I
28. Our Mutual Friend, vol.II
29. Christmas Stories
30. Edwin Drood and Other Stories

Illustrated Library Edition. Thirty volumes, octavo. Original pub-lisher's green cloth, bevelled boards, covers decorated in gilt, black and blind, spines lettered in gilt. A generally very good set throughout, with some points of wear and some markings; generally minor but with some silverfish damage and some wear to covers on some volumes. Contents with scattered foxing and some toning here and there. A complete set.

Please note: This is a substantial set of 30 volumes, weighing in excess of 30kg in total. Within Australia, extra shipping costs will apply. For international shipping, please contact us before purchasing for a quote.

This book is currently not on display in store. If you would like more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact: rarebooks@harryhartog.com.au

Catalogue Number: HH000775