Fine Books and Manuscripts

[Fine Binding] Dickens, Charles. Sketches by Boz. London: Chapman and Hall, 1939. Second series. First octavo one volume edition, first issue. Finely bound in full crushed crimson Levant by Sangorski & Sutcliffe and triple framed in gilt fillets, raised bands with gilt rolls, compartments with alternating gilt bust tools of Dickens characters inside triple framed gilt fillets, gilt ruled fore edges, elaborate gilt dentelle turn-ins with fleuron cornerpieces and bindery stamped in gilt to foot of turn-in, red silk moiré doublures and front endpaper, a.e.g. Illustrated with 40 etched plates by George Cruikshank including the illustrated title page and the preliminary frontispiece, those before p. 120 without publisher’s imprint. 8vo. Half-title + etched frontispiece + vignette title-page of balloon sketch with publisher’s name and address (n.d.) + (standard title page)-viii, 526pp. Advertisement leaf dated May 15, 1839; Whiting, Beaufort House, Strand imprinted on last page. A fine copy with a handsome binding. Eckel p. 19.