Charles Dickens — The Personal History of David Copperfield

Illustrated Edition — Volumes I and II Bound Together in One Book

Boston: DeWolfe, Fiske & Co., 365 Washington Street

Undated, but clearly circa 1880-90 with an early owners name and date of 1890 within.

An antique illustrated edition of Charles Dickens’s classic work David Copperfield, presented in a decorative half leather binding with richly colored marbled boards. Both separately titled volumes are bound together in this single substantial book.

Decorative binding-

Tan leather covers the spine and corners, contrasting with marbled paper boards in dark teal, blue, salmon, yellow, and burgundy tones.

The spine is decorated with gilt floral ornaments, scrolling borders, and fine rules. A red label reads “Dickens’ Works,” while a contrasting dark label identifies “David Copperfield.” Marbled endpapers and marbled page edges complement the exterior.

The novel

First published in monthly installments in 1849–1850, David Copperfield follows its narrator from childhood through hardship, education, employment, friendship, and marriage.

Among Dickens’s most autobiographical novels, it draws upon experiences of childhood insecurity and early work while introducing some of his best-known characters, including Mr. Micawber, Uriah Heep, Betsey Trotwood, and the Peggotty family.

Its combination of social observation, humor, memorable characterization, and personal recollection has made it one of the enduring works of Victorian fiction.

Illustrations and format

Both internal title pages state “With Illustrations” and feature a pictorial vignette. A full-page black-and-white frontispiece precedes the title page of Volume II.

The volume includes Dickens’s preface and separately organized internal volumes. This listing is for one physical book containing Volumes I and II, rather than two separate books or a complete set of Dickens’s works.

Condition-

The binding shows light rubbing, scattered marks, and wear at the corners and edges, including a small area of leather loss at the lower outer corner. The dark spine label has visible cracking and surface wear. Gilt decoration remains bright and readily visible.

The interior is tight and clean, with light age toning, occasional spotting, and minor handling marks. Marbling remains well preserved on the boards, endpapers, and page edges. A beautiful 19th century leather bound book with great visual appeal.

Please examine the photographs for the binding, both internal title pages, and representative interior condition.

The result is an bright, clean, attractive example of traditional decorative binding, suitable for a Dickens collection or a shelf of antique books. Undated, but clearly circa 1880-90 with an early owners name and date of 1890 within.

Book measures c. 7 1/2” H x 5 1/4” W x 1 3/4” thick.

B16174