Lot 186:
Sold for: £34
Description
A set of six folio-sized publication divisions titled Charles Dickens: A Gossip about his Life, Works, and Characters by Thomas Archer, F.R.Hist.Soc. Published by Cassell & Company, Limited (London, Paris, New York & Melbourne), this c.1890 work was originally supplied to subscribers only at a price of 10s. 6d. per division. Each volume is bound in paper wrappers with burgundy cloth-reinforced spines. The front covers feature a central oval illustration of Gads Hill Place and typography in black. The interior title page is printed in red and black ink and bears a central printer’s mark. Each division contains three photogravure plates by Frederick Barnard and sixteen pages of letterpress text, totalling eighteen full-page character sketches for the complete set. This lot also includes an assortment of unrelated ephemera, comprising a copy of Royal Marriages by The Illustrated London News and a coronation-themed publication.
Condition report:
The set is in fair to poor condition. Significant water staining and damp damage are visible to the upper edges and corners of the covers, particularly noted on Division 3 (photo 4) and Division 6 (photo 7). There is widespread foxing and age-related darkening to the paper wrappers throughout. The corners are bumped and frayed, and the cloth spines show various degrees of wear and fraying (photo 1). Division 2 shows two distinct brown stains to the lower front cover (photo 3). The interior pages and plates exhibit light foxing consistent with the exterior condition. The accompanying ephemera shows heavy edge wear and creasing (photo 1).
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