Dickens, Charles.

[Complete works] The Nonesuch Dickens.: Published under the editorial direction of Arthur Waugh, Hugh Walpole, Walter Dexter and Thomas Hatton.

1937. London: The Nonesuch Press, 1937-39.

25 vols. in all, 23 volumes of text, one volume containing an original steel plate engraving, and the companion volume "Nonesuch Dickensiana" in blue cloth. Original buckram in various colors, black morocco label to spines, top edges gilt on the rough, others untrimmed. A fine set as issued, amazingly without any fading or wear.

§ First Nonesuch edition, number 638 of 877 sets, with an original steel-engraved plate.

The limitation is due to the inclusion, enclosed in the 24th volume of each set, of one of the original plates used by Chapman and Hall, Dickens's original publishers, in their first printings of each title. Since they had 877 such plates - the majority steel but with a number of wood blocks - the limitation was thus this number. This set includes the steel-engraved plate "Steerforth and Mr. Mell" from "David Copperfield". Also included is a proof pull and a letter of authentication from Chapman and Hall signed by Deputy Chairman Arthur Waugh.

As noted in the Prospectus, tucked into the Nonesuch Dickensiana, "it will never be possible for a more complete and perfect edition to be put upon the market." A very good and attractive set, hard to find unfaded and essentially in perfect condition. Item #124916

Price: $10,000.00