Dickens, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, 1870, first edition, first issue in original 6 parts

DICKENS, CHARLES

The Mystery of Edwin Drood. London: Chapman and Hall, April 1870-September 1870

8vo (223 x 142mm.), FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, IN ORIGINAL SIX PARTS, 12 engraved plates after Luke Fildes (two per part), portrait frontispiece and vignette title, all advertisements as called for including "Cork Hats" slip in part 2 except 8pp. Chapman & Hall catalogue in part 5 (as often), additional front matter for book edition in part 6 as called for, green printed, original green printed wrappers with vignette after C.A. Collins, part 6 with "eighteenpence" slip pasted over price, collector's red cloth chemise with half morocco slipcase, some plates with chipping and small tears in margins, "Cork Hat" slip loose with some wear, minor browning, chipping and wear to wrappers,

Dickens began to write Edwin Drood in August 1869. It was to be his last story. Originally published in six parts, only one-half had been published when he died the following summer.

"The solution of the plot was never disclosed and this stamps "Drood" as one of the best unfinished mystery stories in literature" (Eckel)

REFERENCE:

Hatton and Cleaver p. 373; Eckel p.96