The Life and Adventure of Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens, with illustrations by Phiz [Hablot Knight Browne] Published by Chapman and Hall in 1844.
[i-xiv, errata], [1-624]
FIRST EDITION, THE VERY RARE FIRST IMPRESSION WITH THE "100£" MISPRINT ON THE FRONTISPIECE. IN A VERY NICE FINE HALF MOROCCO BINDING.
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"The first issue of the first edition had a test growing out of a peculiar error by the artist. On the vignette title page in a reward notice on the sign-post, he transposed the offer so as to read "100£". This was not altered until a number of copies had been printed. The corrected copies thus became second or later issues of the first edition. The collector would suppose that these early printings would be used exclusively in the parts, but quite a number of the cloth-bound volumes have this error. In all instances, however, unless bound too closely, the stab-holes of the original parts can be discovered, showing the origin of the volume. Copies with the error are scarce."
[Eckel, pp.68]
Edition Points:
- 14 line errata.
- "100£" for "£100" misprint to the frontispiece
- End of preface dated "twenty-fifth June 1844"
Size: 145 x 210 x 50 mm (approx.)
Condition:
All plates present, and collated as complete through the text block, though without a half title which was present in the parts, but is usually not found in book form according to Eckel. Spine gilt dulled slightly with some minor wear to the foot but generally near fine. Joints fine with both boards securely attached. Some minor scuffing to marbled paper backed boards, though better than typical. The boards are older than the morocco binding and have been preserved from an earlier binding. Shelf and edge wear to the marbled part of the boards. Contemporary sewn headcap and tailpiece, also with contemporary endpapers, foxed. Frontis and engraved title page heavily toned with some foxing. The text block is very clean, significantly better than typically found, with some very mild toning and occasional offsetting where plates are on the verso. Plates mildly toned/oxidised at edges but significantly better than typically found.
A superior example of this rare first impression.
