1850 – David Copperfield – Charles Dickens | First Printing, Phiz Illustrations

Charles Dickens’ novel David Copperfield is the quintessential “hero’s journey,” following the life of the titular character from infancy into young adulthood through the struggles and triumphs presented by life in Victorian England. First published in 1850, the story provides the stark social commentary for which Dickens is particularly celebrated, looking particularly at class structure, the rights and status of women, the Victorian educational system, and child labor. Dickens acknowledged that the narrative is also semi-autobiographical, drawing heavily from Dickens’ formative experience of working in a factory as a child; even still, Dickens maintained that it was his favorite of his novels. This first edition includes a suite of 40 plates by H.K. Browne (or Phiz), and meets all of the earliest printing edition points.

This example includes a signature reading “Charles Dickens” on the title page.*

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Personal History of David Copperfield
• Author: Charles Dickens
• Illustrator: Hablot Knight Browne (Phiz)
• Publisher: London: Bradbury and Evans
• Edition: First Edition, First Printing 1850
  • Engraved title page is dated 1850.
  • Chapter XXVII listed in table contents at pp. 283, instead of pp. 282.
  • Contains ‘Errata’ list on p. xv
  • p. 16, line 1 – “recal”
  • p. 19, 12 lines from bottom – “cha pter  ;ut”
  • p. 132, line 20 – “screamed” NOT corrected to “screwed”
  • p. 225, line 22 – “recal”
  • p. 387, 6 lines from bottom – “coroboration”
  • p. 472, 13 lines from bottom – no quotes at end
  • p. 482 – contains ‘dark plate’
• Binding: Half Leather with marbled boards
• Format: Octavo (8vo), single volume
• Size: ~ 8.75in X 5.75in (22cm x 14.5cm)
• Collation: xiv, [2], 624 pp
• Illustrations: 40 engraved plates, including frontispiece and engraved title page
• Contents Include:
  • Full novel text
  • Full suite of illustrations by Phiz
• Provenance: Handwritten signature of Charles Dickens on title page; Armorial bookplate of Robert Finch, motto “Carpe Diem”
  • *Note: we are not professional autograph authenticators, and signatures have not been verified.
• Reference(s): Eckel 77; Grolier, Dickens 171; Hodnett, 111-112

Condition:

Very Good. The leather spine is rubbed, but the hinges have been professionally repaired. The marbled boards show mild to moderate edgewear and rubbing. The text block is tight, and the pages are clean with very mild spotting and browning throughout. All illustrations present and complete.

Why Collect This?

• First Edition of Dickens’ favorite of his novels
• Semi-autobiographical Dickens works
• Full suite of plates by H.K. Browne
• Victorian social commentary and satire

Item Number: #50315