Morford, John Jasper's Secret, 1871-1872, first English edition in the original 8 monthly parts

[DICKENS, CHARLES] MORFORD, HENRY, ATTRIB.

John Jasper's Secret: being a Narrative of Certain Events following and explaining "The Mystery of Edwin Drood". London: Wyman & Sons for Publishing Offices, October 1871-May 1872

8vo (222 x 140mm.), FIRST ENGLISH EDITION IN THE ORIGINAL 8 MONTHLY PARTS, 20 wood-engraved plates, advertisements, original blue printed pictorial wrappers, preserved in green cloth folding box, some very neat repairs to some spines, slight wear to wrappers, minor foxing

A near fine set of this early unauthorized and anonymous sequel to The Mystery of Edwin Drood. It was first published in Philadelphia in 1871, and is attributed to the American journalist and writer Henry Morford. This set contains all the advertisments listed by Sadleir. When Dickens died on 9 June 1870 The Mystery of Edwin Drood was left unfinished, with only 6 of the planned 12 installments published. Without any plan for the rest of the story, or clues to a denouement, many continuations or adaptations were subsequently written. The first three attempts were all written by Americans; the first -- more of a burlesque farce -- was by Robert Henry Newell, under the pen name of Orpheus C. Kerr, in 1870. Morford's is the second, but perhaps first serious attempt to solve the mystery and complete the story.

REFERENCE:

Sadleir 705; Gimbel H330.

PROVENANCE:

Estelle Doheny, green morocco book-label inside box