May 2023 James Dean Auction Ends Thursday, May 25th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/25/2023
First edition set of Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations", one of the most important novels of the great author. London: Chapman & Hall, 1861. Published in three volumes with all three bearing the title page of the first edition, first impression, and with Vol. III the scarcest of even the first impression, with all printing points present (including the three most rare). However, only Vol. I and Vol. III are true first impressions with Vol. II being a second impression with the earlier title page tipped-in, not uncommon with this title. Complete list of printing points follow, per Smith's "Charles Dickens: In the Original Cloth".
Volume I, First Edition, First Impression:
Page 5, line 9 unbroken comma after "man"; 17.26 broken "i" in "sides"; 35.25 single inverted comma at beginning; 42.5 full period after "robbery"; 44.1 broken "m" in "mince-pie"; 52.13 unbroken "W" in "Wopsle"; 52.15 correct alignment of "f" in "of"; 93.1 undamaged "b" in "by"; 140.2 unbroken "t" in "went"; 160.12 undamaged "f" in "of"; 179.9 undamaged comma at end of line; 180.16 undamaged comma after "mentioning"; 201.19 exclamation mark present; 203.4 faint inked space between "no" and "one"; 206.6 hyphen at end of line; 208.4 dot of "i" in "in" present; 237.10 undamaged comma at end of line; 246.23 "h" of "how" present; 257.3 no inked spaces; 259.7 capital "I" in "In"; 284. faint "C" in "EXPECTATIONS" in headline; 284.2 undamaged period at end of line; 299.27 undamaged comma at end of line.
Volume II, First Edition, Third Impression:
Page 55, line 6 missing opening inverted commas; 160.7 damaged "h" in "her"; 166.23-26 damage to the letters "ig" "o" "e" and "s"; 286.26 damaged "n" in "been"; 287.26 damaged "d" in "and"; 328.4 only trace of hyphen visible at end of line; 336.26 only one opening inverted comma.
Volume III, First Edition, First Impression:
Thirty-two pages of advertising at end, with all three instances of "May, 1861" as called for. Page 19, line 24 damaged "s" in "Jaggers"; 39.5 inked space between "you" and "feel"; 56.14 damaged "f" in "of"; 103 page number present (one of the rarest first impression points); 150.4 undamaged "w" in "waywardness"; 166.14 undamaged "l" in "longer"; 173.26 printing error of "theres" present; 192.11-12 "himself" and "very carefully" on separate lines (one of the rarest first impression points); 193.23 "i" in "inflexible" present (one of the rarest first impression points); 193.foot faint middle "I" in "III"; 195.2 very faint first inverted comma; 217.3 undamaged semi-colon; 220.16 faint hyphen at end of line; 236.headline lacking period; 240.11 faint inked space between "roaring" and "curses"; 291.25 faint "h" and "d" in "hand"; 293.1 comma present.
All three copies have yellow endpapers, and original plum color blind-stamped boards, but with rubbing to all, affecting the color most noticeably on the spines. Each measures 5" x 8". Vol. I has some fraying to spine and edges, light foxing and separation starting to hinges with leaning as a result. Vol. II has faint separation starting at top of front hinge. Vol. III has some fraying to spine and edges, with separation starting at rear hinge, and leaning. Overall in fair to good condition, housed in custom green slipcase. From the David Niven collection.
"Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens in Three Volumes, Published 1861 -- Scarce First Edition, First Impression for Vols. I and III, Third Impression for Vol. II
Click above for larger image.