The Biographical Edition of the Works of Charles Dickens, in Nineteen Volumes, illustrated, Chapman & Hall, 1902-1905

An attractive and complete set of Dickens' Works in nineteen volumes, uniformly bound in three-quarter leather. The Biographical Edition was published by Dickens' original publishers Chapman and Hall and presents his major novels, stories, travel writings and other works, each volume accompanied by an introductory biographical and literary preface. Particularly appealing is the extensive use of the illustrations associated with Dickens' works, including those by George Cruikshank and Hablot Knight Browne ("Phiz"), together with George Cattermole, Marcus Stone, Luke Fildes, John Leech, Daniel Maclise, Clarkson Stanfield, Richard Doyle, Frederick Walker and others. These include many of the images which have become inseparably associated with Dickens' characters and their original publications.

The Biographical Edition of the Works of Charles Dickens, in Nineteen Volumes. Edited with introductions by Arthur Waugh (1866-1943), literary critic and father of Evelyn Waugh.

Published by Chapman and Hall, London, 1902-1905. The individual volumes are variously dated: five undated, three 1902, eight 1903, two 1904 and one 1905.

A very good set of hardbacks, uniformly bound in three-quarter dark green calf over green cloth boards, with gilt-lined borders. The spines have uniformly sunned to an attractive brown, retaining their gilt-tooled compartments and lettering. Covers with some scuffing and shelf wear commensurate with age. The marbled endpapers are split along the front inner hinges of the majority of volumes, with the binding cords visible, and a lesser number of rear inner hinges are similarly affected. Despite this, the bindings remain sound and secure, with all boards firmly attached.

With swirled marbled endpapers, with some offsetting opposite leather turn-ins. Text is generally bright and clean with some toning/usage marks to vertical edge of text block. Top edges gilt, and still shiny and bright. Occasional minor page flaw. With attractive illustrations.

A handsome and imposing set of Dickens, presenting particularly well on the shelf.