DICKENS, CHARLES. 1812-1870. Dombey and Son. New York: Wiley and Putnam, 1846-1848. 20 parts in 19. 12mo (190 x 130 mm). 36 engraved plates after H.K. Browne ('Phiz'). Original tan printed wrappers, covers soiled and chipped, part 19/20 covers detached and spine perished, a few other covers loose or detached, portion of part 18 upper cover excised, some toning and staining to text. Custom cloth slipcase. Provenance: Stanley C. Hauxhurst (small ink stamp). FIRST AMERICAN EDITION IN ORIGINAL MONTHLY PARTS. The American parts issue is rare at auction with just 5 copies recorded in auction records since 1977. The discrepancy between the number of plates issued in the parts (36) with the number called for in the list of illustrations (38 plus vignette and portrait) is explained by Wilkins: 'At the bottom of the first page of each number was printed 'The illustrations for this number will be given with the next,' the text probably being set in type as soon as the English number was received and printed at once without waiting for the engraving of the plates for that number, so that the plates were always one number behind the text. The Phiz plates were redrawn and engraved on wood by J.W. Orr.' Though instructions are given in the last number for obtaining the final suite of plates, evidently many readers did not do so — the Self and Doheny copies all contain 36 plates. Gimbel A104; Smith, American 7, pp 219-227; Wilkins p 25. Lot to be sold without reserve. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ¤ ¤ Without reserve For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com