Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby, 1839, first American edition, bound from the parts

DICKENS, CHARLES

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard, 1839

8vo (240 x 152mm.), FIRST AMERICAN EDITION BOUND UP FROM THE PARTS, 2 volumes, double column, portrait frontispiece after Samuel Laurence, 39 engraved plates by 'Phiz' (Hablot K. Browne) re-engraved by J. Yeager, contemporary green cloth embossed with floral pattern, morocco lettering pieces on spine, collector’s blue cloth folding box, some spotting and browning, plates occasionally offset and browned, occasional repairs to plates, stains to covers, extremities frayed, patterned browning to free endpapers

A VERY ATTRACTIVE COPY OF THE AMERICAN EDITION IN A PRETTY CONTEMPORARY BINDING. The publishers issued the novel in 19/20 parts between May 1838 and mid-November 1839, each bound in bright yellow wrappers. Given the stab-holes along the inner margins, it is assumed this copy is bound from these original American parts. The first book edition appeared on 15 November 1839. Dickens received no payment from Lea and Blanchard for the work.

REFERENCE:

cf Gimbel A42, A43; Smith First American Editions p.123 (see also p.121)

PROVENANCE:

John A. King, Jr, ownership signatures dated 1839