The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club (Illustrated Modern Library)
New York: Illustrated Modern Library / Random House, Inc., 1943. McKay, David. Reissue. Hard Cover. Very Good / Very Good. Item #2326083
A variant of Toledano 204.1. Lacks slipcase, includes acetate jacket. Ink name and date on front endpaper, 1 inch chip from jacket spine head, minor loss from lettering on front jacket panel.
xx, 817 pp. 7 1/2 x 5. Paper over boards hardcover binding, maroon cloth spine with gold titles. Includes color illustrations by David McKay, with a brief biographical note about him following the text. "The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, better known as The Pickwick Papers, is the first novel by Charles Dickens. The illustrator Robert Seymour claimed that the idea for the novel was originally his; however, in his preface to the 1867 edition, Dickens strenuously denied any specific input, writing that 'Mr Seymour never originated or suggested an incident, a phrase, or a word, to be found in the book.' At any event, Dickens was asked to contribute to the project as an up and coming writer following the success of Sketches by Boz, published in 1836. Dickens, supremely confident as ever, increasingly took over the unsuccessful monthly publication after Seymour had committed suicide. With the introduction of Sam Weller in chapter 10, the book became the first real publishing phenomenon, with bootleg copies, theatrical performances, Sam Weller joke books and other merchandise." -- Wikipedia
Price: $50.00