Friday, March 6, 2009

The Works of Charles Dickens 14 Volume Antiquarian Book Set Collier 1900

Today I am listing a partial set containing 14 out of 30 volumes of The Works of Charles, published in 1900 by Peter Fenelon Collier. Each book in this collection is beautifully illustrated, and features an attractive frontispiece and tissue guard. Speckled edges and dark blue-green boards.  8” tall by 6” wide. 


I’d estimate the grade of these books to range from good to very good. The exception is Volume XXIX, which I’d rate as being in Poor/Fair condition. Boards and cloth are in nice shape, with some bumping, scuff marks, and minor staining to exterior. All books are complete with all pages and boards attached. Pages are lightly tanned with no foxing. See below for condition details for individual books.


Volume XIII: A Tale of Two Cities, Miscellaneous: The Perils of Certain English Prisoners, The Wreck of the Golden Mary, The Begging-Letter Writer. 18 Illustrations. 3” tear in title page. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf. 


Volume XIV: Dombey & Son Part One. 18 Illustrations. Front board/fly leaf detached from frontispiece, but still attached to binding. Name “Charles Dickens” written in pencil on front fly leaf – certainly this is not an authentic signature given that author had been deceased for some time when this edition was printed. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf.

Volume XVII: The Old Curiosity Shop Part Two, Hard Times, Miscellaneous – Sketches of Young Couples. 18 Illustrations. Small pencil mark on back of fly leaf.

Volume XVIII: Christmas Books, Miscellaneous – The Haunted House. 26 Illustrations. Tearing along spine at front hinge, cover remains attached. Front section up through title page is starting to come loose, but remains attached. This volume has a good deal of ink & pencil writing in it from previous owners, particularly in the front & back of book. Some pencil in margins, text – does not affect readability of stories. Small black stain across bottom edge. 

Volume XX: Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club Part One. 28 Illustrations. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf.

Volume XXI: Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, Party Two. 26 Illustrations. Small 1/4” tear on bottom edge. Small pencil mark on back flyleaf.

Volume XXIII: Bleak House Part II. 30 Illustrations. Small pencil mark back fly leaf.

Volume XXIV: Pictures From Italy, Uncommercial Traveller. 30 Illustrations. Front board & fly leaf separated from frontispiece but still well attached. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf. 

Volume XXV: Barnaby Rudge Part I. 28 Illustrations. Top corned of back fly leaf folded over. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf. 

Volume XXVI: Barnaby Rudge Part Two, Master Humphrey’s Clock & Other Stories. 24 Illustrations. Cracking along gutter between fly leaf and frontispiece. Small pencil mark on back fly leaf.

Volume XXVII: American Notes, Reprinted Pieces. 12 Illustrations. Minor tearing along front hinge. Small pencil mark back fly leaf.

Volume XXVIII: Child’s History of England. 13 Illustrations. A few tears in cloth along backstrip, with a small ½” section of cloth detached and dangling at top of spine. Name/Date (1900)/Address written in pencil on interior of front board. Hinged – some tearing along front hinge. A few minor tears and chipping present in blank pages in back of book. 

Volume XXIX: Christmas Stories. 13 Illustrations. Hinged – Some tearing in paper along front hinge. Small pencil mark back fly leaf. 1/2” section of top corner back board is damaged – seems to have been bumped pretty hard. 

Volume XXX: No Thoroughfare, The Mystery of Edwin Droor. 16 Illustrations. 1/2” piece of cloth dangling loosely at top of backstrip. Shaken. Cracking along back of title page. 2” tear paper where interior of front board meets fly leaf. Some page corners folded over. 

This wonderful set of antiquarian books is available for purchase now for just $74.95 on:



If you have any questions about these books, please feel free to contact me at!

Best,

David Anderson
Portsmouth Vintage Books
davewanderson@care2.com

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