Dombey and Son by DICKENS, Charles - 1848

London: Bradbury & Evans, 1848, 1848. FIRST EDITION BOUND FROM THE PARTS. 1 vol., 8-5/8" x 6", illustrated by H. K. Browne ("Phiz"), this copy with the final 8 line errata leaf, additional engraved frontis and title-page, includes the "dark plate" at p.547, mild toning to edges of plates but largely clean and bright throughout. Bound in contemporary 1/2 calf, ribbed gilt decorated spine, gilt lettered black leather spine label, spine relined with original spine laid down, hinges fine, head and foot of spine fine. Dombey & Son contains the first published example of a so-called dark plate, which was created by a machine process that tinted the etched plate and heightened its black-and-white contrast. (See Hatton & Clever, pp.276-7, for a discussion of the process.)