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The Mystery of Edwin Drood
by Charles Dickens
- Used
- very good
- Paperback
- first
- Condition
- Very Good
- Seller
-
BATH, Somerset, United Kingdom
Item Price
A$2,271.63A$2,044.46
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Chapman & Hall, 1870. First edition. Paperback. Very Good. 9.5" by 6". Samuel Luke Fields. The final uncompleted work of Charles Dickens, here in the original six serialised parts. Complete in the six original parts.The first issue of Part VI, with the 'eighteenpence' slip pasted over the original on shilling price to the head of the front wrap.Complete with all twelve plates called for, a well as a portrait frontispiece and engraved title page to Part VI.Part I is complete with all ads.Part II is lacking the 'Cork Hats' advert. Part III is complete with all ads.Part IV is complete with all ads, and a duplicate of the final 'Chapman & Co Entire Wheat Flour' advert.Part V lacks pages 1-2, and 7-8 of 'Chapman & Hall's Recent Publications'.Part VI lacks the 'Wilcox & Gibbs "A New World at Home"' advert.In a custom cloth box, in a very good indeed condition.'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' was Dickens' final work, left unfinished upon his death in June 1870 - of the twelve instalments planned only these six had been written. As Dickens hadn't left a clear or detailed plan as to the continuation or resolution of the plot, the 'Mystery' was left unsolved.Charles Dickens is possibly the most well-known Victorian author, with his fifteen novels still being widely read and performed, as well as being studied in school and enjoyed by people of all ages. In the original publisher's paper wraps. Externally, generally smart. A little loss of paper to the backstrips, particularly to Parts I, II, III, IV, and VI. Prior owner's pencil note to the head of each wrap. Front wrap of Part II is detached but present, rear wrap of Part VI is detached but present. Light discolouration to the wraps, particularly to Part I. Front wrap of Part I is edge worn with some chips and loss, lifting a little to the head and tail. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and generally clean with some scattered spots. Part V's 'Chapman & Hall's Recent Publications' advert is loose. Light marks to the custom cloth box. Very Good
Synopsis
The Mystery of Edwin Drood marked the last of Charles Dickens novels, and was left unfinished in its publication. It follows the story of an orphan, Edwin Drood who worked as an engineer for his adoptive father’s firm, and his betrothal to fellow orphan Rosa Bud. As they come to age there is recognition that their love has been replaced by friendship, and the engagement is soon broken off. Shortly afterwards, in the middle of a storm on Christmas Eve, Edwin disappears, leaving nothing behind but some personal belongings and the suspicion that his killer was his jealous uncle John Jasper, or a fellow orphan Neville, who were both madly in love with Rosa. The fantastical story intrigues the reader with the darkness the opium dens within the sleepy cathedral town of Cloisterham, and the sinister double life of Choirmaster Jasper, whose drug-fuelled fantasy life belies his respectable appearance. Charles Dickens passed before the novel could be completed, leaving a tantalizing mystery that will never be solved.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Rooke Books
(GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 851P25
- Title
- The Mystery of Edwin Drood
- Author
- Charles Dickens
- Illustrator
- Samuel Luke Fields
- Format/Binding
- Paperback
- Book Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First edition
- Publisher
- Chapman & Hall
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1870
- Size
- 9.5" by 6"
- Keywords
- The Mystery of Edwin Drood edwin drood charles dickens samuel like fields edwin drood mystery dickens
Terms of Sale
Rooke Books
Books are sent on approval and may be returned in like condition for any reason within 14 days of receipt. Responsibility of return to be with the purchaser.
About the Seller
Rooke Books
Biblio member since 2007
BATH, Somerset
About Rooke Books
Welcome to Rooke Books Antiquarian Bookseller
We are a small team dedicated to bringing you very scarce books at reasonable prices. We specialise in rare and hard to come by works on all subjects over the last 500 years, together with modern first editions and decorative sets and bindings. Our library has something for every interest and specialism. We deliver worldwide using a fully tracked and insured courier delivery service.
Where are We?
Based in the literary city of Bath, our offices are housed in the Eastern Dispensary. Built in 1845, the building originally existed as a charitable institution providing medical care. The building now houses our collection of over twenty thousand books and has five full time members of staff.
We are a small team dedicated to bringing you very scarce books at reasonable prices. We specialise in rare and hard to come by works on all subjects over the last 500 years, together with modern first editions and decorative sets and bindings. Our library has something for every interest and specialism. We deliver worldwide using a fully tracked and insured courier delivery service.
Where are We?
Based in the literary city of Bath, our offices are housed in the Eastern Dispensary. Built in 1845, the building originally existed as a charitable institution providing medical care. The building now houses our collection of over twenty thousand books and has five full time members of staff.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Title Page
- A page at the front of a book which may contain the title of the book, any subtitles, the authors, contributors, editors, the...
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Tail
- The heel of the spine.
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- New
- A new book is a book previously not circulated to a buyer. Although a new book is typically free of any faults or defects, "new"...
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