Our Mutual Friend

London: Chapman and Hall, 1865. First edition. Leather. Very Good. 8.5" by 5.5". Marcus Stone. A nice Mansell bound first book form edition of one of Charles Dickens' most popular novels, with all of Marcus Stone's plates present. The first edition of this work in book form. The first issue, with the three page postscript to the rear of Volume II, and 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 with two volumes bound in one.Bound by Mansell, successor to Hayday.Half-title present to Volume I. '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 naïve employees of the late father.Volume I illustrated with a frontispiece, engraved title page, and nineteen plates.Volume II illustrated with a frontispiece, and nineteen plates.All plates are present.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.Bound without half-title to Volume II, the slip bound before page 1 of Volume 1, and the publisher's adverts to the rear of Volume II.Bookplate of Francis Augustus Brooks to the front paste down with a wax seal to the bookplate. Brooks was an art collector, corporate attorney, and a railroad president. In a half crushed morocco binding by Mansell, with marbled paper to the boards. Externally, generally smart. A little rubbing to the spine, joints, and extremities, with a little paper lifting to the extremities. Spine is a little faded. A few light marks to the boards and spine. Front hinge is starting but remains firm. Bookplate and bookseller's label to the front paste down. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. A couple of pencil lines to the margins. Prior owner's ink to page ix of Volume I and to the title page of Volume II. Very small tide mark to the margins of the frontispieces and a couple of other plates. Very Good