[Dickens, Charles.]

8vo, 2 volumes, first edition, 16 illustrations by George Cruikshank, original dark-green leaf-grained cloth, spine gilt with decorative shield-shaped design with attached pendant, pale yellow endpapers, preserved in quarter green morocco folding box, some slight foxing, cloth slightly nicked at head and base of the spine, slight scratch on lower cover of volume 2, some further minor edge-wear

Smith I:1; Sadleir 699; Eckel p.11

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

An unusually fine copy of Dickens's first book, in the original cloth.

Dickens was a young parliamentary reporter when he delivered the manuscript of his "A Dinner at Poplar Walk" to the Monthly Magazine  in 1833. Following its acceptance (which Dickens only discovered by buying a copy of the next issue) he was asked for further contributions, and Dickens was soon writing regularly for the Morning Chronicle under the pseudonymn "Boz" (his baby brother's nickname). The author subsequently met W.H. Ainsworth, who introduced him to the publisher John Macrone, who suggested this first collection of Dickens's in book form, illustrated by the well-known illustrator George Cruikshank.