Dickens, American Notes for General Circulation, 1842, first edition, with author's autograph luggage tag

DICKENS, CHARLES

American Notes for General Circulation. London: Chapman and Hall, 1842

8vo (199 x 124mm.), 2 volumes, first edition, first state with second Contents page in volume 1 misnumbered xvi and 6pp. advertisements at end of volume 2, AUTOGRAPH LUGGAGE TAG FROM DICKENS' VOYAGE TO AMERICA TIPPED-IN AT THE BEGINNING OF VOLUME 1, half-titles, advertisement leaf at front of volume 1, 6pp. advertisements at end of volume 2, original dark greyish-brown horizontally-ribbed cloth with floral frame in blind on covers enclosing central design, spines lettered in gilt, pale yellow endpapers, preserved in maroon cloth folding box, rebacked preserving spines, wear to cloth, some very occasional spotting, staining to endpapers (residues of previous bookplates)

FIRST EDITION OF THE NOVELIST'S CONTROVERSIAL ACCOUNT OF HIS FIRST TOUR OF THE UNITED STATES, WITH AN EVOCATIVE MEMENTO TIPPED-IN. The luggage tag, in Dickens' hand reads: "By railroad. Carriage paid. | Captain John Hewitt.| Royal British and American Steam Packet | 'Britannia' | Coburg Dock | Liverpool.| From | Charles Dickens." Dickens and his wife had travelled to America in January 1842 aboard the Britannia, commanded by John Hewitt. The weather was bad, they were seasick for most of the voyage and they subsequently returned home on a sailing ship. Among the cities Dickens visited during his trip were Boston, New York, Sandusky and Cincinnati.

REFERENCE:

Smith II:3

PROVENANCE:

Charles George Milnes Gaskell, bookplates