Our Mutual Friend

London: Chapman and Hall, 1865. First edition. Leather. Good. 8.5" by 5.5". Marcus Stone. The first edition, first impression of the final novel of Charles Dickens, being a scathing satire on society. Illustrated, with all plates present. The first edition of this work, being bound from the parts, with stab holes present to the gutter. First impression of this work, with 'Pricipal' for 'Principal' to Volume II page 115, 14 lines up from the bottom. Issue points as stated by John C. Eckel in his 1913 publication 'The First Editions of the Writings of Charles Dickens'. Complete in two volumes. Volume I illustrated with a frontispiece, and nineteen plates. Volume II illustrated with a frontispiece, and nineteen plates Bound without half-titles. Three line slip bound before page 1 of Volume I. One page of publisher's adverts to the rear of Volume II. Collated, bound without half-titles, otherwise, complete, with all plates present. 'Our Mutual Friend' was the last novel Charles Dickens completed before his death in 1870. It is a satire on society, the plot following a young man who recently came into a fortune after his father dies, who's body is then found in the Thames. The money then goes to the naive employees of the late father. Dickens is one of the most popular authors of the Victorian age. His novels show the grimy side of poverty and prosperity in Victorian England, showing poor social conditions alongside repulsive characters. Illustrated by Marcus Stone, an English painter, who was an Associate of the Royal Academy. Prior owner's ink inscription to the front free endpapers, and the front free endpaper of Volume I, 'Henry R. Davenport, Richfield Hall, Birmingham', 'Davenport, Ellishie, Soho Park'. Prior owner's ink inscription to the verso of the rear endpaper of Volume I, 'Alice Davenport, Ellishie, Soho Park'. In a half calf binding with marbled paper to the boards. Externally, generally smart. Lacking the lower spine labels. Small amount of loss to the present spine labels. Bumping to the head and tail of the spines and to the extremities. Rubbing to the boards and spines. Small mark to the front board of Volume I. Some loss of paper due to rubbing. Hinges are starting but firm. Prior owner's ink inscription to the front free endpapers, and the front free endpaper of Volume I. Prior owner's ink inscription to the verso of the rear endpaper of Volume I. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned with some spots, mostly to the plates. Small puncture marks to the gutters. Frontispiece to Volume I with a repaired closed tear. Small closed tear to plate facing page 30 of Volume I. Small chips to the margins of plate facing page 97, to the plate facing page 70 of Volume II, to plate facing page 125 of Volume II, to plate facing page 189 of Volume II, to plate facing page 255 of Volume II, none affecting image. Loss to plate facing page 212, only affecting the image very marginally. Very small chip to the tail of the plate facing page 151 of Volume II, not affecting image. Good