The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit
- London: Chapman and Hall, 1844
London: Chapman and Hall, 1844. First edition. First edition in book form, first issue following all points in Smith including vignette on title-page with amount on sign post transposed to read "100£" and seven studs in the trunk. Plates facing pp. 387 and 386 transposed as per Michael Sadleir's copy at UCLA, and all of the other thirty-four first issue points. According to Smith "An earlier 13-line errata leaf exists with the same data that is found on the 14-line leaf; the setting was changed to 14-lines for a better balance." Octavo (8 11/16 x 5 7/16 inches; 220 x 139 mm). xiv, [errata with 14 lines, verso blank], 624 pp. Forty etched plates including frontispiece and title-page vignette by Hablot K. Browne aka "Phiz." The text-block has been expertly re-cased using the original yellow-coated end-papers. The plates have light to moderate foxing which is mainly confined to the blank margins. There is a 3/8 inch diameter stain on the margin of the plate facing page 160 and a light marginal stain on the facing leaves. Closed tear on margin of O2 (pp. 195/6), corner (3/8 x 1/2 inch) torn away from FF4. Light foxing to end-papers and first and last leaves only. The text block remarkably clean and fresh. Publisher's primary binding of moderate blue diagonally-ribbed cloth. Covers stamped in blind, spine stamped in blind and lettered in gilt with "London 1844" at foot. Original pale yellow coated endpapers. Armorial book-plate of "Sherwin" on front paste-down and ink signature of "J.Sherwin Sherwin" on half-title. The original cloth is near fine with no fading and just the bare minimum of strengthening at the spine ends and slight wear to the lower corners. The gilt lettering is bright and fresh. Housed in an early fleece-lined green cloth clamshell case.
Charles Dickens's sixth book, considered his last picaresque novel, The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit, is a study in man’s financial greed. Although Dickens wrote of his fondness for the project, it was the least commercial successful of his published works, resulting in a story alteration that sent his title character to America in an attempt to boost sales. It first appeared serially in 19th monthly parts (released between January 1843 - July 1844), with the book version being published upon its conclusion. Martin Chuzzlewit is listed as number five in Michael Sadleir's list of Charles Dickens comparative scarcities.
Charles Dickens's sixth book, considered his last picaresque novel, The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit, is a study in man’s financial greed. Although Dickens wrote of his fondness for the project, it was the least commercial successful of his published works, resulting in a story alteration that sent his title character to America in an attempt to boost sales. It first appeared serially in 19th monthly parts (released between January 1843 - July 1844), with the book version being published upon its conclusion. Martin Chuzzlewit is listed as number five in Michael Sadleir's list of Charles Dickens comparative scarcities.