Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi

This is an early copy of the "Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi" edited by Charles Dickens (as "BOZ"). 1838 2nd American edition, 2nd state; William H. Colyer; New York. Complete in one volume. With an early frontispiece lithograph of Grimaldi by Nathaniel Currier (of "Currier and Ives" notoriety) with tissue guard. Joseph Grimaldi was an English actor, comedian and dancer who became the most popular English entertainer of the Regency era.

The "Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi" was edited by a young Charles Dickens only two years after the publication of his first major literary work, "The Pickwick Papers." The text presented to Dickens was a long, discursive manuscript which he edited and rewrote heavily. He also wrote the "Introductory Chapter," and possibly the "Concluding Chapter" as well. This 2nd American edition copy was published the same year as 1st American edition (which was originally published in 2 volumes).

Condition:
Light, dime-sized stain on the front cover. Portions of the top paper are missing in some areas on the covers. Wear along the board edges. The label on the spine is missing. Tight binding with no loose pages. Mild foxing to the pages; no writing found; the first 2 blank end papers have a tiny piece missing at the outer edge.