Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens - 1848

Bradbury & Evans. First UK edition and first print published by Bradbury & Evans in 1848. 40 plates by H K Browne. Phiz. This is a first state copy. Finely bound by Bayntun Riviere. Not signed but unmistakingly bound by them in full leather with gilt work to spine covers and inner edges with hand marbled endpapers. Gilt to page edges, portrait of Dickens in gilt on upper cover and signature in gilt on rear cover. Book is very near fine and in a lovely condition. The pages and plates are in the main very clean and much better than usually found. Occasional toning and the odd fox mark. Overall a very near fine copy with 40 clean plates. Dombey and Son follows the fortunes of a shipping firm, whose owner is frustrated at not having a son to follow him in the job, and initially rejects his daughter's love, eventually becoming reconciled with her before his death. The story features many Dickensian themes, such as arranged marriages, child cruelty, betrayal, deceit, and relations between people from different classes. The novel was first published in monthly parts between 1846 and 1848, with illustrations by Hablot Knight Browne ('Phiz'). . Near Fine. Hardcover. 1st Edition. 1st Printing. 1848.