Description

Complete Works of Charles Dickens. Complete in 14 Volumes. Printed in 1870 to 1872. The first collected edition was printed in 1870. This set is as early as possible, without being the first collected edition. The set is complete with all of the works of Charles Dickens. This set has all the titles that are found in every other set. This set is bound into 14 volumes. The Sketches volumes are subdivided into Part One and Part Two, and bound into the other books, thereby reducing the volume count from 15 volumes, to 14 volumes. Bound in the original leather bindings. The bindings are original. Quality rag paper. The paper is high quality and low acid content. The paper is not fragile or brittle as is common in later Victorian printings. Steel engraved frontisplates. Set is in very good condition overall. The leather is supple. The external hinges are all sound There is internal and separation along the paper on the inside of approximately five volumes, showing some separation from the text block. This may be bothersome. Some edge rubbing and other external wear. Set has some evidence of water exposure, and some tide marks mostly external. There is some external damage due to previous water exposure as shown in the pictures, this may be bothersome. Aside from these condition flaws this is an exceptional Victorian set of Dickens. Overall an exceptional antiquarian set of Dickens in leather. The main condition flaws are some internal separation of the bindings from the text block, and there’s some evidence of water exposure, which may be bothersome, otherwise this is an exceptional set of Dickens. The bindings are original. All external hinges are sound and the leather supple. There is internal hinge separation along the internal paper with the binding separating from the text block in some volumes. The external hinges themselves are sound. Quality paper can be read without damage. Globe Edition Printings range from 1870 - 1872 as it took 2 years to publish the set. Beautiful genuine leather and marble edge bindings on all volumes. Books have wear specifically on front and rear covers, however nothing unexpected for being over 150 years old. The spines however are in excellent condition with no sunfading. No loose or missing pages. These Globe Editions were published in various cost levels, with these leather editions being perhaps the most expensive bindings offered by the publisher. Full marbling on all edges, very nicely tooled leather with gold details, etc. These measure 7 inches tall. This set takes up approximately 28 inches of shelf space. This set is complete with all Charles Dickens works. Works include: Little Dorrit Christmas Stories Pictures from Italy American Notes A Tale of Two Cities Hard Times Old Curiosity Shop Sketches (1 and 2) (subdivided and bound into two other volumes) Bleak House Martin Chuzzlewit Nicholas Nickelby Our Mutual Friend Dombey and Son Barnaby Rudge Pickwick Papers Edwin Drood Uncommercial Traveler Humphrey's Clock Oliver Twist Great Expectations Quality paper. Paper is fresh. Leather supple. Very good overall, some internal separation and some water exposure to some volumes. Some generalized abrasion. All external hinges sound. Very good overall. Good only to some areas. Still an exceptional Victorian set of Charles Dickens in the original bindings. This will be well protected for shipping. Please see my other listings for similar books. 2025.05