Charles DICKENS. The Life and Adventures of Nicholas... Lot n° 14

Charles DICKENS. The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby containing a Faithful Account of the Fortunes, Misfortunes, Uprisings, Downfallings, and Complete Career of the Nickleby Family. Edited by "Boz" with illustrations by "Phiz". London, Chapman & Hall, April 1838 - October 1839. 20 issues in 19 in-8 volumes, stapled, illustrated green-blue paper covers, modern red half-maroquin box. First edition, published in 20 issues: copy of the first printing. Illustrated with 40 engraved plates by Hablot K. Browne alias "Phiz". Copy preserved as issued, in good condition. "The book has many interesting appeals, as notwithstanding the large circulation in the early days, and which was maintained throughout the run, it cannot be regarded as the easiest of tasks to obtain first grade copies. Those which have appeared of late in the sale rooms are in anything but fine condition, and seldom in such completeness as would conform to the known requirements which are here collated ; so that the offer of a pedigree copy would probably find many willing buyers" (Hatton and Cleaver). Two advertising leaves from the publisher Robert Tyas are missing at the end of volumes 8 and 17. One advertising leaf and two detached plates in vol. 3. (Hatton & Cleaver, A Bibliography of The Periodical Works of Charles Dickens, 1973, pp. 131-160).