This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2022
[DICKENS, Charles (1812–1870)]. –– FORSTER, John (1812–1876). The Life of Charles Dickens. London: Chapman and Hall, 1873–74. 3 volumes, 8vo. Half–titles, steel–engraved portrait frontispieces in each volume, several plates and wood–engravings in text (some spotting to plates). Half contemporary blue morocco gilt, spines in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands, gilt–lettering and tooling in compartments, top edges gilt, stamp–signed by Bretano’s (spines gently sunned, few spots of rubbing at extreme ends and corners). FIRST EDITION. John Forster was one of Dickens’ closest friends, and acted as advisor, editor, proofreader, agent and marketing manager. Forster was Dickens’ literary executor, and was left the manuscripts of many of the novels, which he in turn left (along with the rest of his magnificent library) to the South Kensington Museum (later the Victoria and Albert Museum).