Fore-Edge Painting: Charles Dickens BLEAK HOUSE & MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT, 1870s

Description: For sale is a bound volume of two Charles Dicken's novels, Bleak House and Martin Chuzzlewit, with a watercolor fore-edge painting at page edges. Undated but pages are likely from around the 1870s based on the publisher details stated in both volumes (Chapman and Hall) and the printer stated in Bleak House (Virtue & Co., City Road). Binding date is unknown, it is an interesting volume in that the novels are not chronologically placed with the later Bleak House appearing first followed by Chuzzlewit. Bound in 3/4 brown leather with gold lettering and decoration along spine, marbled end pages. Measures about 9 3/4" tall, 7 5/8" wide, and about 2 1/8" thick. The fore-edge painting is becomes mostly obscured by the page gilt when the book is closed, some ink is visible but the image is indistinguishable until fanned out. The image looks good to very good, some slight bleeding of colors into the pages here and there but not that noticeable - there are some thicker pages that took on the watercolor a bit more so there is a little bit of staining past the paint in these areas. Artist name and date of the artwork is unknown but there is a small red crown stamp on the bottom corner of one of the end papers which may be a maker's mark (see last photos). Book itself is in good antiquarian condition as shown - wear and blunting to corners and edges as well as some scuffs to spine. Some material loss in a few areas as well as staining to cloth boards. No nameplate; some bookseller pencil on flyleaf pages. Binding is good overall - cover hinges are loose but for the most part intact with a bit of breakage between end pages. Early pages show some wear from opening with threads visible but remainder of book is sound. Please have a look at all pictures provided as they are of the exact book available and the best way to get a good sense of condition - please let me know if you have any questions prior to purchase. Due to the value of this item, signature will be required upon delivery per eBay policy.

Price: 800 USD

Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts

End Time: 2024-09-21T18:33:06.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD