A Dickens Atlas: Including Twelve Walks in London with Charles Dickens

AN ATLAS OF DICKENSIAN LONDON Clothbound portfolio containing title-page, preface and foreword (8pp. on two folded sheets), twelve folded sheets, each describing one walk, and two folded leaves of plates (plates numbered I–VIII), also a copy of 'Bacon's Railway, Tramway & Underground Railway Map of London', with a 'Strangers' Guide to London' to the verso, (folder 290 x 220mm; maps various sizes) "He approached the great city, which lay outstretched before him like a dark shadow on the ground." (Barnaby Rudge) A rich and rewarding tour of London, arranged around close study of the city's greatest literary topographer. The twelve walks are described and illustrated with bird's-eye views, and a modern map is given to aid navigation; additional descriptive and illustrated material explains the research. Although the work is an elegant and unusual production - limited to just 300 copies (of which this is number 289) - the portfolio was evidently intended as a practical guide to exploring Dickens' London. The twelve walks are described and illustrated with bird's-eye views, and a modern map is given to aid navigation; additional descriptive and illustrated material explains the research. As the authors write: "The bird's-eye views are printed on ledger paper having a good writing surface so that each possessor may make his own notes on the margin whether the pilgrimage is made in person, or in the library." The work also serves as an extremely precise carto-bibliographic study in its own right. As an example of the careful study they have undertaken, Hopkins and Read state: "We must not be misled by cases where the name survives but the location changes as shown below. The 'Golden Cross' of 'Pickwick' and 'David Copperfield' was located about 150 yards from the present edifice. The original hotel was swept away by the Charing Cross improvements, and in 1831-32 the sign and business [were] removed to the north-east." Scarce in institutions and in commerce: copac lists 7 copies in the uk; Rare Book Hub has only three records since the 1930s. Another copy available online at the time of cataloguing is incomplete. Very good condition: light wear to the covers; internally very good throughout.…