1841 First Edition Master Humphrey's Clock by Charles Dickens / Chapman and Hall, London / Richly Illustrated by Cattermole and Brown

I'm delighted with this find of a scarce first edition of Charles Dickens' Master Humphrey's Clock, complete in three volumes. Published between 1840 and 1841 by Chapman and Hall, London. Richly illustrated throughout by George Cattermole and Hablot Browne. In good condition.

Master Humphrey's Clock was a publishing experiment by Dickens, being a weekly periodical published from April 4, 1840, to December 4, 1841. It began as a frame story featuring Master Humphrey, who tells tales about himself and his friends. The periodical included several short stories and two novels: "The Old Curiosity Shop" and "Barnaby Rudge". It was published in three different formats: weekly, monthly and then in this book form triple decker once original publishing was complete.

Inside the pages are clean, bright and tightly bound. With a book plate on the front yellow paste down endpapers of each volume (see photos), but no other writing or markings of previous ownership. With light scattered spotting through the text, mostly to Volume I. 

Brown ribbed cloth covered boards have beautiful ornate gilt and blind stamped decoration to the fronts and spines. This is a particularly bright and smart set. With mild fading to the colour around the outside of the boards - but minor. Volume I has a few tiny paint spots on the back board. Also has a 1.5 cm split in the cloth at the head of the spine (see close-up photo). Volume III has a bump to the rear board fore-edge, and a split to the cloth on the bottom front spine joint. With a few light flecks of white paint - but again very minor. All volumes have mild rounding to the corners. The lovely intricate gilt on the fronts and spines all remain sparkly bright. A very attractive set - tight and square.

Your first edition copy of Master Humphrey's Clock will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and will be sent well packaged with full tracking and insurance. I am always happy to add a gift card with a message to the parcel.

FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING

Each book H 26.5 cm x W 18 cm, combined weight 2.5 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. (There are just a very few countries which I am unable to ship to).

* If you would prefer for your books not to be decoratively wrapped but sent simply in the protective packing please add a note to the order.

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