MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT, First Edition, Second Issue, by Charles Dickens, illustrated by Hablot K. Brown (Phiz), published by Chapman and Hall, London, 1844. Hardcover octavo, 624 top edge gilt pages with frontispiece, title page, and thirty-eight plates, errata page present, rebound by Riviere and Son, London in red morocco leather with gilt stamped covers and spine, five raised hubs, gilt dentelle with dark green paper pastedowns and endpapers, ex libris plate to interior of front cover. Includes a tipped-in one page bifolium ALS written by Dickens to front matter pages, addressed from 1 Devonshire Terrace, London, Dicken's place of residence from circa 1839-1851, possibly written to Stuart Grant, dated Monday, February 13, 1843, reading "My Dear Sir, Will you come and join our family dinner, tomorrow week, at six o'clock? Do not be alarmed at the length of this invitation, or consider it out of ceremony on that account. This week is always the busiest I have, in the month; am I am obliged to shut myself up for a fortnight in every four weeks. Always faithfully yours Charles Dickens P.C. Stuart Grant...". October 1843 No. 10 serial cover included in front matter pages, original dark blue cloth blindstamped covers and spine laid down to back matter pages. 9" H x 6" W x 1 7/8" D.

The Estate of Edith (Edie) M. Bass, Nashville, Tennessee. Most of the items from her estate in this auction were by descent from her parents, Walter Paul McBride and Claire Childs of Lake Forest, Illinois.

Covers in overall very good condition with wear to hinges, corners slightly bumped. Pages in overall good, legible condition with toning/toning impressions, acid burn, scattered foxing spots, scuffs, creases, some minute tears to edges, few pencil marks, light handling wear. Dickens ALS in overall very good, legible condition. 3/8" tear lower right of frontispiece (does not affect image). Plate titled "Mr. Pecksniff Discharges a Duty Which He Owes to Society" is bound facing p. 377, not p. 378 as indicated on the List of Plates, all other plates are collated. Some pages unevenly cut.