Dickens, Uncommercial Traveller, 1861 [1860], first book edition, presentation copy inscribed to Harness

DICKENS, CHARLES

The Uncommercial Traveller. London: Chapman and Hall, 1861 [1860]

8vo (183 x 118mm.), first book edition, PRESENTATION COPY INCRIBED BY DICKENS TO WILLIAM HARNESS ON THE TITLE PAGE ("The Rev: William Harness | From | Charles Dickens| Christmas, 1860"), 32pp. of advertisements at the end dated December 1860, half-title, nineteenth-century half green morocco, marbled boards, red edges, binding very worn

The inscription dates just after publication, which was on 15 December 1860, despite the date of 1861 in the imprint.

Dickens's friendship with the Shakespearean scholar William Harness (1790-1869) probably began at the Athenaeum in 1838. His diary entry from Tuesday, February 5, 1839 reads "Dine with Mr Harness - 1/4 before 7." One year later, both men became members of the Shakespeare Society in 1840. Harness was one of the small circle invited to attend the private reading of The Chimes at John Forster's rooms in December 1844.

This is the first edition in book form of these 17 sketches composed by Dickens after his nocturnal walks, originally published in All the Year Round in 1860.

REFERENCE:

Smith II: 11; Eckel, p.132; Gimbel/Podeschi A145

PROVENANCE:

Rev. William Harness, authorial inscription; his great-great niece Miss M.S. Roberts, autograph slip loosely inserted