LITTLE DORRIT. London: Bradbury and Evans, 11, Bouverie Street, December 1855 -- June 1857. Octavo, twenty numbers bound in nineteen monthly parts, 40 inserted plates with illustrations by Hablot K. Browne, original pictorial blue-green wrappers printed in black. First edition, parts issue. Part XV is first issue with "Rigaud" for "Blandois," pages 467, 470, 472, and 473. "Gothicism infiltrates this novel. The sneaking, insinuating, grasping Rigaud recalls a long gallery of diabolic foreign villains populating earlier Gothics. Little Dorrit herself and Arthur Clennam resemble those put-upon innocents from tradition. Old Mrs. Clennam, with her mysterious secrets from the past, shut up, crippled, in her gloomy room in an altogether gloomy mansion, controls, or tries to control, events in the lives of those under her command. Flintwinch, her faithful old retainer, combines familiar traits of the good and bad servant, helpful at times, hindering at others. His wife's 'dreams' add a touch of other-worldliness to this novel of imprisonment within physical and spiritual walls." - Tymn (ed), Horror Literature 2-32. Tymn (ed), Horror Literature 2-32. Hatton and Cleaver, pp. 307-330. Part I lacks three ads at rear; "Norton's Camomile Pills," "James Gilbert's Publications" and "The National Review"; Part II is complete, but only outside front wrapper is printed (a printing error; a correct back cover has been supplied). Parts III-XIX/XX are complete and collate as per Hatton and Cleaver. Part I has some loss along lower spine; Part II, "Little Dorrit Advertiser" loose, some loss to spine, front wrapper partially detached along spine, closed tear in front wrapper with old internal tape mend; Part III, binding thread broken, several leaves loosened but present; Part VI lacks binder's thread; Part XIII, "Ask Mamma" slip torn. A few mild chips to spines of several other parts, some plates are foxed, several of the "dark" plates are darkened, mostly at margins, first two parts are very good and good respectively, the others are very good to nearly fine, some unopened. A nice copy overall. Enclosed in a custom quarter red morocco slipcase. (#132457).
Price: $1,750.00
No statement of printing.