Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. With Illustrations by H. K. Browne. London; Bradbury and Evans; 1857.
FIRST EDITION FIRST IMPRESSION
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Little Dorrit was published in 1857. It is set in Victorian England during a period of social and economic change. The novel tells the story of the Dorrit family, who are imprisoned for debt in Marshalsea prison, and their relationship with Arthur Clennam, who befriends them and falls in love with the youngest daughter, Amy. The novel satirises the British government's bureaucracy and the corruption and hypocrisy of the upper classes, while exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption. The book is praised for its intricate plot, vivid characterisation, and depiction of Victorian London.
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Edition points: (all present)
Signature '2B2' printed as 'B2' (pp.371).
3 Line errata (pp.xiv).
'William' for 'Fredeich' (pp.317, line 27).
Lacking errata (pp.467).
'Rigand' for 'Bland' (pp.469, 470, 472, & 473).
40 engraved plates by Phiz (including frontispiece and engraved title page) - Including the eight "dark" plates
Size: 147 x 220 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[xiv, 625pp]
Rebacked green calf over half green morocco and marbled paper backed boards preserving sections of an earlier, perhaps original, backstrip. Replaced endpapers. Many of the errors in this example have been corrected in pencil next to them by a former owner. There are a few instances of dried leaves (of the botanical variety) pressed between the pages dated 1887 in Llandudno (north Wales, UK), presumably by the same as the ownership inscription to the title page which is dated April 18th 1887, though we can't quite decipher the name. These leaves are occasionally identified. Main title page and frontis heavily toned/foxed/oxidised with the other plates throughout the text block with similar defects but to a lesser extent. Some edge tears to the first 6 numbered pages not affecting the text. Some light pencil marks to many pages and a few small pencilled illustrations.
