Dickens, Bleak House, 1853, first edition in book form, possible special publisher's binding

DICKENS, CHARLES

Bleak House. London: Bradbury & Evans, 1853

8vo (213 x 131 mm.), FIRST EDITION IN BOOK FORM, frontispiece, illustrated title-page and 38 plates by or after Phiz ('Hablot K. Browne'), half-title, contemporary pebbled green morocco, covers decorated with fillets in black, spines in six compartments with raised bands and lettering in gilt, decorated endpapers, all edges gilt, some spotting and oxidisation to plates, upper hinge starting, slight wear to edges of binding

This binding is possibly one of the special publisher's bindings advertised in the parts issue of Pickwick, prepared for a number of Dickens' works around this period (see copy of Pickwick, sold in these rooms, 16 December 2010, lot 114; and also copy of Nicholas Nickleby, lot 115; also lots 24, 132 and 147 in present sale)

REFERENCE:

Smith I:10

PROVENANCE:

Henry Gillett, armorial bookplate