PBA Galleries

6 parts (all published). Illustrated with 12 full-page wood-engraved plates after Luke Fildes, engraved by Dalziel, C. Roberts and others, with original tissue-guards; plus a steel-engraved frontispiece and added title (these last two placed in Part VI). 8¾x5¾, original pictorial blue-green wrappers. First Appearance, First Issue.

Dickens' final work, which he failed to complete before his death, leaving the Mystery of Edwin Drood to remain just that for all time. First issue set, with all the appropriate points as called for in the Hatton and Cleaver bibliography. This copy has the "Price Eighteenpence" sticker affixed over price in Part VI, indicating it to be the earliest issue of that part. Part I: Has ad at front, "John F. Dunn, Great City Book Mart," not called for by Hatton & Cleaver. Part II includes the rare "Cork Hat" ad inset in the back (which is made of cork). Parts V-VI with the 4 page Chapman & Co's yellow paper ads in back (Part V dated August 1, 1870; Part VI dated September 1, 1870). The text to Parts 1, 2, and 4 are entirely uncut. Hatton & Cleaver p. 373; Smith Vol. I, 16.