DEALINGS WITH THE FIRM OF DOMBEY AND SON, Wholesale, Retail and for Exploration. by Dickens Charles - 1848

London: Bradbury and Evans, 1848. First edition, with the earliest (2 line) state of the errata and the hook on the left hand on the title-page vignette, “capitan” for “captain” on page 324 and with the missing “if” on page 426. Illustrated with 38 engraved plates, an engraved frontispiece and an engraved title vignette by H.K. Browne. 8vo, in a handsome period binding of of three quarter dark brown calf over marbled boards, back and corner-pieces gilt ruled. The spine with gilt ruled raised bands and with a black morocco label lettered and ruled in gilt, additional gilt lettering in a lower compartment, edges marbled, wove endpapers. The binding of the spine was expertly accomplished at a later date, and incorporates the original lettering label gilt, the end-leaves were added at the same time. xiv, 624 pp. A very handsome copy in a pleasing binding, sturdy and attractive with just a bit of expected maturing to the paper, much less then is typical. FIRST EDITION OF THIS VERY IMPORTANT WORK BY DICKENS. This is quite a desirable copy of the Dickens novel that introduced the world to the memorable Mr. Dombey and his transactions, business and personal, and that creates a "clear picture of society in [Dickens’] time.” Dickens wrote it while in residence in a number of different areas, beginning the work in Lausanne, Switzerland, continuing in Paris, and finishing in Brighton, Broadstairs, and London, making the text “a true cosmopolite in the manner of its writing.” The publication of this book marked a turning point for Dickens; his proceeds were a fine increase over MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT, and with these earnings “his financial worriment ceased, prosperity began, and a period of money-saving was at hand.”
This is the first publication of the text in its entirety after its serialization from October 1846 to April 1848. Copies this early are becoming scarce. An excellent piece of classic Dickensiana.