PUBLISHER'S PRESENTATION BINDINGS
Barnaby Rudge and the Old Curiosity Shop
Chapman & Hall, 1841.
Two volumes, both first editions. Both volumes in publisher's presentation bindings of full tan calf with raised bands and morocco title labels to the spine decorated and titled in gilt. Double ruled gilt border to covers. Marbled endpapers and all edges gilt. With the publisher's binding stamp to the verso of the front endpaper and the Hayday stamp to the verso of the rear endpaper. Both volumes illustrated in the text throughout with steel engravings after George Cattermole and Halbot Browne. Both volumes in very good condition indeed, with just trivial wear to the bindings' edges and a little marking to the boards. Internally very fresh.
These two works were originally issued serially and collected together in six monthly volumes under the running title, Master Humphrey's Clock. The two titles were issued individually in December 1841, to coincide with the issue of the final volume of Master Humphrey's Clock.
Dickens chose to use the individual issue for presentation and Hayday was Chapman and Hall's binder of choice for presentation bindings of Dickens' work. For the most part copies in these bindings were sent to Dickens for presentation: copies inscribed to Thomas Noon Talford, Walter Savage Landor and Mrs Burnett (Barnaby Rudge) and Macready and Fanny McIan (Old Curiousity Shop) were all bound in identical or very similar bindings by Hayday. Uninscribed copies in this binding are seldom seen, but it is probable that Chapman & Hall sold small numbers of copies in Hayday bindings as well as cloth. An advert in the Chuzzlewitt Advertiser of March 1843, offers (presumably later editions of) both books "price 13s. cloth, or elegantly bound by Hayday in calf with gilt leaves, price 18s."
PROVENANCE: Josiah Wilkinson (1812-1903, Highgate barrister, bookplates to both pastedowns).
Stock ID: 45203
£6,000.00
