Dickens, The Pic Nic Papers, by various hands, 1841, first edition, bibliographer's copy

DICKENS, CHARLES
The Pic Nic Papers, by various hands, edited by Charles Dickens. London: Henry Colburn, 1841

8vo (200 x 124mm.), 3 volumes, FIRST EDITION, THE AUTHOR'S BIBLIOGRAPHER THOMAS HATTON'S COPY, engraved frontispiece to each volume, and 11 plates by George Cruikshank, H. K. Browne ["Phiz"] and R.J. Hammerton, 8pp. publisher's advertisements dated May 1841 at the end of volume 2 and 4pp. publisher's advertisments at the end of volume 3, pale yellow endpapers, original pea-green fine-ribbed cloth tooled in blind with linear border enclosing large design of acanthus leaves, spines with raised bands and lettered in gilt, uncut, some leaves unopened, plates browned, hinges to volume 1 weak, covers of volume 2 faded unevenly, corners slightly bumped, spines slightly faded and chipped

ASSOCIATION COPY HAVING BELONGED TO THOMAS HATTON, BIBLIOGRAPHER OF CHARLES DICKENS. This is a later issue without the incorrect 'publisher young' on p.3 of the 'Introduction' and with Palmer as the printer of both volumes. Charles Dickens edited the first two volumes of the work and wrote the introduction as well as The Lamplighter's Story. Proceeds from the sale of the work went to the widow of Dickens' first publisher, John Macrone, who had died penniless.

REFERENCE:
Eckel, p.1433ff; Sadleir 703; Gimbel B109

PROVENANCE:
Thomas Hatton, bookplates

Condition Report:
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.

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