Little Dorrit, Vol. IV

Dickens, Charles

Published by Bernhard Tauchnitz, Leipzig, Deutschland, 1857

About this Item

Of the complex, richly rewarding masterworks he wrote in the last decades of his life, Little Dorrit is the book in which Charles Dickens (1812-1870) most fully unleashed his indignation at the fallen state of mid-Victorian society. Crammed with persons and incidents in whose recreation nothing is accidental or spurious, containing, in its picture of the Circumlocution Office, the most witheringly exact satire of a bureaucracy we possess, Little Dorrit is a stunning example of how thoroughly Dickens could put his flair for the theatrical and his comic genius the service of his passion for justice. Although not as well known today, some, including George Bernard Shaw, have felt that Little Dorrit is Dickens best work. Shaw says that ¿Little Dorritt is a more seditious book than Das Kapital. All over Europe men and women are in prison for pamphlets and speeches which are to Little Dorrit as red pepper to dynamite." Little Dorrit was originally published as a monthly serial, December 1855 to June 1857. Published in book form 1856 released 1857. At least 4 publishers released a version in 1857. Tauchnitz was one of these publishers which honored the book's copyright. The Tauchnitz printing was in four volumes, later condensed to two. An Errata sheet bound into this volume IV indicates the 1st edition errors were replicated in this Tauchnitz publication version. On a title page preceding the title page of this volume IV of this novel, this book is identified as Vol. CCCXC of a Collection of British Authors. Hablot Knight Browne (1815¿1882) was an English artist and illustrator. Well-known by his pen name, Phiz, he illustrated books by Charles Dickens, Charles Lever, and Harrison Ainsworth, including the first edition of "Little Dorrit" in book form. His illustrations are in this volume. Hardcover has marbled cardboard boards with black cloth corners and spine, but no dust jacket. Spine has been detached and lost, corners and edges worn through. Interior is complete and tightly bound with no tears in gutter, no marks found in text. Prior owner ex-libris pasted to front paste-down, ink stamp of ownership on title-page. Book has been thoroughly read, so has foxing and handling stains on interior. Copyright's honor asserted, but details not specified. Publication date 1857 on title page. Preface dated May, 1857 and stated written in London. We deduce this copy printed after that date. No ISBN, LCCN nor MSR found. Seller Inventory # 007267

Bibliographic Details

Title: Little Dorrit, Vol. IV

Publisher: Bernhard Tauchnitz, Leipzig, Deutschland

Publication Date: 1857

Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Browne, H. K.

Condition: Poor

Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket

Edition: First Thus