Dickens, Martin Chuzzlewit, 1844, first book edition, variant binding

DICKENS, CHARLES

The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit. London: Chapman and Hall, 1844

8vo (222 x 140mm.), FIRST BOOK EDITION, frontispiece, vignette title and 38 other illustrations by H.K. Browne ("Phiz"), vignette title signed "Phiz fecit" with "£100" on signpost (Smith's state 2, no priority), 14-line errata leaf on p.xv as usual (second setting), original reddish-brown horizontally straight-grained cloth, upper and lower covers stamped in blind with central oval with sawtooth, maze-like projections, spine stamped in blind and lettered in gilt, pale yellow endpapers, spine slightly faded, minor wear to edges of binding

AN UNUSUALLY CLEAN AND FRESH COPY OF THE FIRST BOOK EDITION OF "CHUZZLEWIT" IN A RARE VARIANT BINDING. The design in this copy conforms to the regular binding, but issued in horizontally-grained reddish-brown cloth; additionally the place and date of publication ("LONDON 1844.") is absent from the foot of the spine. Eckel does refer to some copies seen in "brown cloth" but states (without further comment or amplification) that "the contents were not of the earliest issue".

REFERENCE:

Smith I:7; Eckel pp. 71-73

PROVENANCE:

George Frothingham, armorial bookplate