Fine Books & Manuscripts, including Americana

[DICKENS, Charles (1812–1870)]. –– KITTON, Frederic G. (1856–1904). Charles Dickens by Pen and Pencil… London: Frank T. Sabin and John F. Dexter, 1889–90. 18 parts in 14 volumes including supplements, imperial quarto (394 x 298 mm). 100 engravings printed on india paper with remarques (copper, steel and wood). Original buff printed wrappers, supplements in orange–brown printed wrappers (some light edgewear to yapped edges, second volume of supplement with some dampstaining to lower cover and rebacked, else fine); all preserved in original decorative portfolio issued by the publisher (upon application only; see slip laid in). (Some edgewear, lacking cloth ties, lower cover dampstained). FIRST EDITION, LIMITED ISSUE, one of 1000 copies for subscribers only. Laid in with publisher’s catalogue, cancel slip, and a portfolio cloth sample. A RARE SET OF THE ILLUSTRATOR AND WRITER’S MOST SUMPTUOUS STUDIES OF DICKENS IN THE ORIGINAL PARTS. Kitton was one of the founders of the Dickens Fellowship and organized and compiled the celebrated 1903 Dickens exhibition. His library was purchased from his widow by subscription with the aim of establishing a national Dickens library. It was transferred to Dickens House in Doughty street in 1926.