1844 Charles Dickens 1st Martin Chuzzlewit English Literature Satire Illustrated



“If I was a painter, and was to paint the American Eagle, how should I do it?”

– Charles Dickens, Martin Chuzzlewit



This rare first edition, was believed by Dickens to be his best work, though it was the least popular of his works. Dickens originally released the story in 20 monthly parts; however, upon realizing its failing popularity, he changed the plot to send the title character, Chuzzlewit, to America. Dickens sought to elaborate on his own views of selfishness in America, and, in doing so, created popularity within a lesser-known character.



Item number: #30286

Price: $599



DICKENS, Charles



The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit. With illus. by Phiz.



London: Chapman and Hall, 1844. First edition.



Details:

Collation:

xiv, [2], 624

37 steel engraved plates (including frontispiece and title page)

Edition Note:

Smiths State 2 (no priority), with vignette title page signed "Phiz," "£100" on signpost, the first figure "1" unblurred, and five studs on trunk (according to Hatton and Cleaver, the vignette title page was etched in triplicate, but "there is no first state or priority of the illustration as has been often cited in catalogues.").

References: Hatton and Cleaver pp. 86; Eckel, pp. 71-73; Smith I:7; Jupp, Dickens Collection of Books 308; Grolier, Dickens, 125.

Provenance: Bookplate – Peter and Margery Morris

Language: English

Binding: Leather; secure

Size: ~8.25in X 5.25in (20.5cm x 13.5cm)



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