A Rare 1874 Centenary Edition of Charles Dickens' The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, Complete in Two Volumes

A Rare 1874 Centenary Edition of Charles Dickens' The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, Complete in Two Volumes. Also known as The Pickwick Papers, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club is a quintessential work by Dickens, first published in 1836. The narrative follows the series of encounters experienced by the innocent and well-meaning Samuel Pickwick and his three companions during their travels. Through their adventures, Dickens vividly portrays the social life and customs of Britain at the time. The recurring clashes between Mr. Pickwick and the charlatan Alfred Jingle lend the book significant readability. In The Pickwick Papers, Dickens fully expresses his humanitarian spirit. Initially, the book did not garner much attention, selling only 500 copies in its first year. However, by the spring of 1837, The Pickwick Papers had become a topic of widespread discussion in British society. Doctors read it while tending to patients, judges read it during court sessions, and the sick read it from their beds. A "Pickwick fever" swept the nation, leading to a proliferation of Pickwick-themed merchandise in the streets of British cities. Ultimately, the book achieved the status of a classic in world literature. (Reference: Wikipedia) While Charles Dickens' works were immensely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for their penetrating insights into the lives of the less fortunate and their challenge to contemporary British social problems, one might expect considerable opposition. Yet, his continued prominence was bolstered by a powerful patron: Queen Victoria. She was an ardent admirer of Dickens. After his death, Queen Victoria even decreed that Dickens be buried in Poets' Corner at Westminster Abbey, a testament to her high regard for him. # Following the sale of publication rights, Charles Dickens' works were printed and distributed by numerous publishers. Curiously, later editions often lacked publication dates, a fact that has always intrigued me. This particular set is a rare find, published by the original publisher, Chapman & Hall, and dated 1874. It originates from a university library collection, bearing its library card and checkout records. The bookplate even includes the donor's name and deaccession information. These items became available for sale and auction due to a comprehensive digitization initiative undertaken by American universities. This set journeyed from its publication by Chapman & Hall in Britain to a private collection in America, then was donated by a collector to a library, subsequently deaccessioned by the library, acquired by an antique dealer, and finally brought back by me. Its century-long provenance is exceptionally clear, making it a truly rare find. # This set features engravings, including numerous plates produced by Virtue, a renowned engraving company of the Victorian era. Dimensions: 20.9 x 15 cm Publication Year: 1874 (149 years old) The book displays multiple library markings and signs of its institutional history. Considering its age of over a century, the condition is good, with intact binding. However, as with any antique book, some historical wear is inevitable. Please consider this before purchasing.