DICKENS, CHARLES
Bleak House. London: Bradbury and Evans, 1852-53. First edition in monthly parts, 20 numbers in 19 parts, original wrappers, housed in a full morocco box. 8 3/4 x 5 5/8 inches (22.7 x 15 cm); 40 plates. This a mixed issue set. The first four parts a later state, parts 5-20 generally first state but with some variant inner wrapper and inserted ads than called for by Hatton & Cleaver. Many of the first issue ads and slips are present including the "Village Pastor" insert in part 15 but others lacking. Contemporary label of a Belfast bookseller to wrapper of part 1, several rebacked but many original, a few repairs, some edgewear and thumbsoiling, a few ownership signatures, this lot sold as is.
Bleak House, with a called-for 82 inserted advertisements, is surpassed only by Our Mutual Friend in that regard. Eckel p. 79; Hatton & Cleaver, p. 275.