Sketches of Young Gentlemen – Charles Dickens – 1838 | First Edition, First Printing.

Sketches of Young Gentlemen, by Charles Dickens, published in 1838 by Chapman and Hall, London, is an early, significant work showcasing Dickens’ skill for humorous observation and social satire. The first edition includes six engravings by celebrated Victorian illustrator Hablot Knight Browne, commonly known as “Phiz”. Dickens created this collection as a playful rejoinder to a previous book satirizing young women, cleverly profiling various stereotypes among young Victorian gentlemen. Notable sketches within the volume include “The Bashful Young Gentleman”, “The Out-and-Out Young Gentleman”, and “The Military Young Gentleman”. Each narrative amusingly captures Victorian manners and social customs, characterizing distinct societal archetypes in Dickens’ signature style.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Sketches of Young Gentlemen. Dedicated to the Young Ladies. With Six Illustrations by “Phiz”.
• Author(s): Charles Dickens
• Illustrator(s): Phiz (Hablot Knight Browne)
• Publisher: London: Chapman and Hall
• Edition: First Edition, First Printing. 1838.
• Format: Duodecimo (12mo), single volume
• Binding: Full leather boards, gilt boders, decorative gilt spine
• Size: ~ 6.25 in x 4 in (16 cm x 10.5 cm)
• Collation: viii, 76 pp
• Illustrations: 6 engravings
• Contents Include:
  • The Bashful Young Gentleman
  • The Political Young Gentleman
  • The Censorious Young Gentleman
  • The Domestic Young Gentleman
  • The Very Friendly Young Gentleman

Condition:

Near Fine. Binding is tight and secure. Handsome leather boards present only minor edge wear and subtle rubbing on the corners and spine ends. Internal pages show occasional mild foxing but remain generally clean.

Why Collect This?

• First edition Dickens printed in 1838
• Fine leather binding with original gilt decoration
• Hard-to-find satirical piece from Dickens’s early years

Item Number (SKU): #28769