[First Edition] THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS...

8vo, bound in the original publisher's deluxe full green morocco binding, gilt titles, stamped in gilt and blind, yellow end papers, all edges gilt. Bound complete with 4 blank pages, half-title page, engraved frontispiece with a facsimile signature by Dickens, title page, XVI, 624 pp., 3 blank pages and 39 plates by Phiz (H. K. Browne). Armorial bookplate by Sir Edward W. Watkin on the front paste-down and handwritten text: "Mrs. Edward Watkin from her loving husband 6. 1847". Nicholas Nickleby, Dickens' third novel, was originally serialized in monthly parts, then issued as a book in cloth. The publishers also had a small number of copies bound up in morocco for presentation and for sale to the public at a higher price; a census of copies inscribed by Dickens on publication show them all to be in the green morocco binding. Here we present the extremely rare variant binding in green morocco covers. Early edition with the following features: Frontispiece with Chapman & Hall imprint,"flys" for "flies" on p. 245, line 10, and "visiters" for "visitors" on p. 272, line 2. The spine is slightly discolored due to light exposures, the binding shows comparatively little wear; binding tight and secure, the pages have only a few minor stains here and there; the plates, as always, are browned at the edges and have a few scattered stains; very rare in this good condition; what's more, it is a particular rarity due to its provenance from the house of Sir Edward Watkin! Sir Edward Watkin was a prominent British manager and politician of the 19th century. He served as a director of several railway companies; he became famous for his project to build a railway tunnel under the English Channel to France, although this was blocked at a political level after construction had already begun. Please note: We cover the delivery costs (express, insured).

Estimate:£4,686.86

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