Master Humphrey's Clock by DICKENS Charles - 1840

1840. First Edition . DICKENS, Charles. Master Humphrey’s Clock. London: Chapman and Hall, 1840-41. Three volumes. Large octavo, mid-20th century three-quarter polished red calf, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, raised bands, burgundy and blue morocco spine labels, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt. $1700.First edition, bound from parts, with frontispiece plates in each volume and almost 200 in-text illustrations by George Cattermole and Hablot Knight Browne (“Phiz”), quite handsomely bound by Frost.When Dickens conceived of this work, he “had already written his preface to [Nicholas Nickleby], in which for the first time he adopts that fond and agreeable tone towards his audience which he wished to continue” in Master Humphrey’s Clock, “his aim being, he said, that of …one who wished their happiness, and contributed to their amusement.’ Here is Dickens as the man of feeling, uniting all his readership in a concord of affection and brotherhood” (Ackroyd, 291). Includes The Old Curiosity Shop and Barnaby Rudge. First issued in both weekly and monthly parts. This copy bound from parts, with part numbers printed to the left of each gathering mark. Smith 6. Hatton & Cleaver, 163-64. Eckel, 67-70. Contemporary owner signature to title page of Volume III.Text with occasional light foxing and soiling. Bindings with light scuffing to spine labels. A fine set, handsomely bound.