c1900 30vol Works of Charles Dickens Library Edition Illustrated Leather by N/a - 1900

ont> Chapman and Hall : London, 1900 Book. Very Good. Hardcover. An excellent library set of the works of Charles Dickens, complete in thirty volumes in one of the best illustrated editions. Charles Dickens was an English writer and social critic commonly regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. Although his works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, Dickens is perhaps as famous today, with twentieth century critics and scholars recognising him as a 'literary genius'. As the author of fifteen novels, five novellas, and countless stories and essays, he also generously promoted the careers of other novelists in his weekly journals, and concerned himself with social issues. His works have inspired countless authors and writers, and he has also been lauded for reportedly helping to bring about societal change, through his portrayal of the stark portrait of the poor social conditions for the Victorian era underclass. This charming thirty volume set is uniformly bound in an attractive half calf binding with marbled paper boards. Each volume also features attractive marbled endpapers and marbled textblock, with green and tan spine labels and gilt decoration to the spines. Bound by the notable bookbinders, Bickers and Son. With the following pagination: xvi, 408pp; viii [1] 419pp; xviii, 435pp; x, 430pp; xvi, 436pp; x, 438pp; vii [1] 435pp; vi [1] 435pp; ix [1] 475pp; vi [1] 471pp; xiv, 475pp; xviii, 438pp; xii, 454pp; viii [1] 459pp; xii, 446pp; x, 460pp; vii [1] 437pp; xii [1] 457pp; viii [1] 454pp; xiv, 456pp; viii, 427pp; x, 412pp; x [1] 379pp; [1] 442pp; vii [1] 441pp; vii [1] 412pp; vi [1] 362pp; x [1] 431pp; vi [1] 552pp; vi [1] 440pp. Featuring prior owner's ink inscription the verso of the front free-endpaper, volume XXI: 'Lord Berners Faringdon House Berks. Kindly Returns' Undated, dated using Copac. Collated, complete with numerous illustrated plates throughout all volumes with notable illustrators such as Hablot Knight Browne, known by his pen name 'Phiz' who was best known for his illustrations in the works of Dickens. Plate facing page 56 volume IV, and plates facing pages 63 and 217 volume XXX detached but present. Condition: In a half calf binding with marbled paper boards. Externally, most volumes very smart. Leather slightly rubbed to extremities and head and tail of spines. Several volumes rubbed to joints. Spines slightly sunned. Slight handling marks to boards, volume III. Professional reinforcement to joints, volume XII. Small bookbinders stamp to upper extremity, verso of front free-endpaper, all volumes. Internally, Volume XV is generally firmly bound. All other volumes are firmly bound. Pages very bright and clean, with the odd light spotting to first and last few pages. Pages slightly age toned to edges. Faint offsetting from plates to facing page, all volumes. The odd handling marking, all volumes. Repair to pages 417 to 419, previously torn to lower extremity (across text to pages 417/8). Pencil inscription to page 36, volume IV. Plate facing page 56, volume IV, detached but present. Small ink mark to page 3, volume V. Handling mark to upper fore edge, free-endpaper, volume VII. Small closed tear to fore edge, page 247/8, volume XI and plate facing page 455, volume XVIII, not affecting image. Creasing to lower fore edge of title page, volume XXVI. Overall Condition: Very Good Indeed.