Master Humphrey's Clock by Charles Dickens. With illustrations by George Cattermole and Hablot Browne. London: Chapman & Hall, 1840-41.
FIRST EDITION, including the first editions of Old Curiosity Shop and Barnaby Rudge. Three volumes here bound into two, complete.
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Master Humphrey's Clock is a collection of short stories and sketches written by Charles Dickens, published in 1840-41. The book is presented as a framing narrative, with the eponymous character Master Humphrey inviting friends to gather around his clock and share stories with each other. The collection includes a range of stories, from humorous sketches to poignant tales of human suffering and redemption. Some of the most famous stories from the collection include The Old Curiosity Shop, which tells the story of a young girl and her grandfather who fall on hard times and are pursued by a villainous loan shark, and Barnaby Rudge, a historical novel set against the backdrop of the Gordon Riots of 1780. The stories in Master Humphrey's Clock showcase Dickens' mastery of character and his ability to weave together multiple plotlines to create a rich and engaging narrative.
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Size: 177 x 265 mm (approx., each)
Condition:
[(2), frontis, t.p., vi, 306pp, 228pp, (2)]; [(2), frontis, t.p., vi, pp.229-306, 426pp, (2)]
Uniform contemporary half calf over marbled paper backed boards, rubbed and scuffed, minor losses in places, backstrip slightly raised at head of second volume. Shelf and edge wear. Joints rubbed, with all boards securely attached, bindings secure, without shelf lean. Very attractive on the shelf. Some foxing to endpapers, text blocks toned, else generally clean throughout, some light spotting in places, but largely very nice. A lovely example of this first edition, here bound into two volumes. Collates as complete.
