Sketches by Boz : illustrative of every-day life, and every-day people

Illustrated edition of the first series which had previously appeared in 1836. Rare. Very fine printing on tinted laid paper, of great modernity when compared to French printings of the same period. Third edition statement on title page.

Preface to the first and second edition. 2 frontispieces and 7 plates on heavy laid paper in each volume by George Cruikshank. John Ruskin declared that after Rembrandt, no one had engraved scenes so fine. Although it is noted in manuscript on the endpaper "First illustrated edition", this is doubtless an error since the first series in first edition and the second were equally illustrated by Cruikshank. 

Late 19th-century English bindings in full blonde calf signed July File. Spines with raised bands decorated with gilt compartments. Red morocco title labels, red morocco volume labels. Complex shaped frames on boards. Top edge gilt. Brown marbled paper slipcase with tan morocco borders. A few small brown spots on spines, otherwise exceptional copy with immaculate paper, of perfect freshness, which is of very great rarity for Dickens's works, notably the engravings. The paper used is different from those habitually used for Dickens's works and resembles a deluxe paper printing, thicker.

Dickens's first published book, most of the sketches appeared previously in different newspapers under the pseudonym Boz.