The Mystery Of Edwin Drood

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 As they come to age there is recognition that their love has been replaced by friendship, and the engagement is soon broken off.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. 

Chapman & Hall published the First Edition, First Printing in London, 1870. The publication retains its original monthly parts, a selection of 6 books, individually bound in blue-green pictorial wrappers. 

Chapman & Hall published the First Edition, in London, 1870, and was bound in full red crushed morocco by Cedric Chivers in circa. 1911. This edition includes added illustrations, with the coat of arms for the city of Rocherster on the front panel and intricate details on the spine. Silk moire end papers, all edges gilt, extra-illustrated with 17 anonymously executed watercolors, depicting localites in Rochester, the inspiration for the setting of the novel, and Dickens's childhood home. Four of the original watercolors are in full color. Additional hand drawn title page; portrait of Fildes and John Forster tipped in, as well as a few leaves from Forster's "Life of Dickens" relating to this work. The publication retains its original monthly parts, a selection of 6 books, individually bound in blue-green pictorial wrappers.