David Copperfield – Charles Dickens – 1850 First Edition, First Issue – Complete – Fine Gilt Leather Binding

Author: Dickens, Charles (1812–1870); illustrated by Hablot Knight Browne (Phiz) Title: The Personal History of David Copperfield Publication Details: London: Bradbury & Evans, 11 Bouverie Street, 1850. First Edition, First Issue in Book Form. Complete with 624 numbered pages, 40 illustrations, including the engraved title page, and original errata leaf. Binding: Contemporary tan half leather over decorative marbled boards, with raised bands, elaborate gilt decoration and contrasting dark leather title label. Condition: Good to Very Good. Description: An attractive and collectable first edition, first issue in book form of Charles Dickens's celebrated novel The Personal History of David Copperfield, published by Bradbury & Evans in 1850. One of Dickens's greatest literary achievements, the novel is widely admired for its vivid characterisation, autobiographical elements and memorable portrayal of Victorian society. This copy is complete with 624 numbered pages, all 40 original illustrations by Hablot Knight Browne (Phiz), including the engraved title page, together with the original errata leaf. Several important first-issue identification points have been verified, including the uncorrected reading "screamed" on page 132, "coroboration" on page 387, "recal" on page 16, the Chapter XXVII pagination discrepancy and the misaligned Roman numeral on page viii of the preface. The volume is particularly attractive for its contemporary half-leather binding, featuring richly patterned marbled boards and an elaborately gilt-decorated spine with raised bands and a contrasting dark leather title label. Condition: Good to Very Good. The binding retains its handsome appearance, with the gilt spine decoration remaining bright and attractive. There is some rubbing, scuffing and age-related wear to the leather, particularly at the extremities, together with modest surface wear to the marbled boards. Internally, the preliminary leaves, frontispiece and engraved title page show noticeable foxing and occasional age-related spotting. The examined text pages are generally well preserved and clearly legible. All 624 numbered pages, 40 illustrations and the original errata leaf have been confirmed present. A desirable example of one of the most important novels of the Victorian period, combining verified first-issue characteristics with an attractive nineteenth-century leather binding. Edition Note: First Edition, First Issue, 1850, with multiple recognised first-issue textual points confirmed.…