Little Dorrit

London: Chapman and Hall , c1870. Leather. Very Good. 8.5" by 5.5". H. K. Browne [Phiz]. Early edition of this social novel by Charles Dickens, illustrated by Phiz. A social novel following Amy Dorrit, who was born and raised in the Marshalsea debtors prison, where Dickens' own father was imprisoned. Dickens satirises some shortcomings of both government and society, as well as being critical of the bureaucracy of the British government and the British class system. An early edition, meeting first issue points listed by John C Eckel in his work The First Editions of the Writings of Charles Dickens, 1913: with three line Errata on page xiv; 'William' instead of 'Frederick' on line twenty seven, page 317; B2 instead of BB2 on page 371; but without date to title page and correct use of 'Blandois' to pp. 469-73. This remarkable novel denounces a Victorian society obsessed with money and power. Illustrated with thirty eight plates by H K Browne as well as frontispiece and additional engraved title page. Collated, complete, including all the eight dark plates. Rebound in half calf over marbled boards and edges, marbled endpapers. Externally sound with minor shelf wear, back strip faded, lightly rubbed to head and tail of spine, joints, and extremities. Internally, firmly bound. Light spotting to endpapers, otherwise pages generally bright and clean. Very Good