Dickens, David Copperfield, 1850, first book edition, bound from the parts

DICKENS, CHARLES

The Personal History of David Copperfield. London: Bradbury & Evans, 1850

8vo (221 x 143mm.), FIRST BOOK EDITION, bound from the parts-issue, 40 illustrations by Hablot K. Browne ("Phiz") including frontispiece and vignette title page (earlier state with date), original olive green fine-diaper cloth, covers decorated in blind with rules enclosing scroll designs in corners and central globe design, spine lettered in gilt, pale yellow endpapers, expert repairs to hinges and head and base of spine, small nick at top of spine

The green cloth on this binding is much darker (almost brown) than the normal state (see lot 146). This may be a variant binding. Smith reports that "the shades of green will have subtle variations if the bindings have faded slightly". David Copperfield first appeared in nineteen monthly parts between May 1849 and November 1850. This book edition was published on 14 November 1850.

REFERENCE:

Smith I:9; Sadleir 686

PROVENANCE:

John K. Bindloss, visiting card affixed to front endpaper