The Life of Charles Dickens. (3 Volume Set) by Forster, John - 1872

London: Chapman and Hall, 1872. Chapman and Hall First Editions, published 1872 through 1874. VERY GOOD 3-volume set.. Internally near fine in decorative red polished calf bindings, covers handsome but worn. Title page dates: Volume 1: 1872. Volume 2: 1873. Volume 3: 1874. Each volume includes engraved frontis portrait of Dickens (at ages 27, 47 and 56). Vol. 2 & 3 portraits lightly toned/foxed. Bookplate of Sir Julius Wernher, Baronet, affixed to front pasted endpaper of Volume 1; small bookbinder's label (E. S. and M. Lemon) affixed to Volume 3 rear endpaper, a few penciled notations to blank leaves following text, no other markings. All page edges gilt. Boards edged with double gilt plus decorative blind rule with florets at corners. Gilt edges and turns. Spines have 5 raised bancs with gilt titling on two black leather labels, gilt decorations in other compartments. Covers are clean but moderately edgeworn, with boards showing at corner tips, spine ends scuffed and , light scuffing and cracking to spine leathers. Leather has cracked and split along most hinges and boards have loosened and are in danger of separating, though interior hinges and marbled endpapers so far remain intact. Binding are fragile. 5-1/4 x 8". Vol. 1: xvix + 398 pages, plus 1 illustration plate; 6 facsimiles in text. Vol. 2: xx + 462 pages, plus 2 illustration plates; 7 facsimiles in text. Vol. 3: xv + 552 pages (includes index) plus tissue protected plate, engraving of 'The Grave,' and 10 drawings, facsimiles in text.. First Edition. Leather. Very Good/Not Issued.