DICKENS, CHARLES | The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby... Edited by "Boz." London: Chapman and Hall, April 1838 - October 1839

DICKENS, CHARLES

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby... Edited by "Boz." London: Chapman and Hall, April 1838 - October 1839

20 parts in 19, 8vo (8 7/8 x 5 1/2 in.; 225 x 140 mm). First issue with the misprints "visiter" for "sister" on page 123, and "latter" for letter on page 160, 40 etched plates by "Phiz" (Hablot K. Browne), plates 1-4 have the publisher's imprint, the caption on the first plate in part 8 omits the word "in" and the third plate in part 15 has the long caption, engraved portrait of Dickens by Finden after Maclise, all advertisements and slips as listed by Hatton and Cleaver, with the exception of "Heads of the People" at end of part 8. Original green wrappers, parts 8 and 11 unopened, names on upper covers of parts 3, 4, and 7, bookseller's tickets on upper covers of parts 7, 12, and 17. In a dark-green morocco slipcase. 

First edition, first issue, in original monthly parts

“It's always something, to know you've done the most you could. But, don't leave off hoping, or it's of no use doing anything. Hope, hope to the last!”

Nicholas Nickleby, Dickens' third novel, has remained a favorite among his works. It was, in fact, the popularity of this work that made it possible for the author to give up parliamentary reporting, and make novel-writing his full-time profession.  

LITERATURE:

Hatton and Cleaver 131-160

PROVENANCE:

Comte Alain de Suzannet (his sale, Sotheby's London, 22 November 1971, lot 44)