Dickens, To Be Read at Dusk, 1852 [1891], Wise forgery

DICKENS, CHARLES

To Be Read at Dusk. London: [printed by G. Barclay], 1852 [1891]

8vo (223 x 145mm.), FIRST SEPARATE EDITION, 10 leaves bound together with binder's blanks, polished fawn calf gilt by Zaehnsdorf, morocco lettering piece on spine, top edge gilt, cloth chemise and red morocco-backed slipcase, binding slightly rubbed

A Thomas J. Wise forgery, published in 1891. Carter and Pollard note that 'the analysis of the paper showed that it composed of esparto and straw: as esparto was not introduced into the manufacture of paper until 1861, nine years after the date on which the pamphlet was supposed to be printed, there can be no doubt that it is a forgery'.

The text was first published within The Keepsake in 1852 (pp. 117-131).

REFERENCE:

Carter and Pollard, pp. 185-187

PROVENANCE:

George Barr McCutcheon, bookplate, his sale, American Art Association, April 20 and 21, 1925; Estelle Doheny, bookplate, her sale, Christie's New York, 17-18 October, 1988, lot 1239