13 Handsomely Bound Books by Charles Dickens Circa 1880

Comprising 12 of Charles Dicken's 15 novels together with 'Christmas Books' and 'Sketches by Boz'. Each volume has numerous full page black and white plates by various illustrators including, Cruikshank, Stone, Phiz, Browne, Catermole and Seymour.

Well bound in polished tan half calf with marbled paper to boards, end papers and page edges. The elaborately gilt decorated spines have 6 compartments formed by 5 raised bands with two compartments containing contrasting title labels with gilt lettering.

Each volume contains the armorial bookplate for Robert Cross with the Latin motto - Sub Cruce Copia which translates to Plenty under the Cross. Robert Cross lived at 13 Moray Place, Edinburgh which was the centre piece of the development undertaken by the Earl of Moray in the early 19th Century and is now one of the most prestigious addresses in the city's 'New Town'.

Internally lightly aged toned, some marks to the first few pages generally otherwise clean and tightly bound. Externally wear to marbled covers and edges, light wear and scuffing to leather which shows little evidence of sun fading and the gilt is bright. Whilst 'The Pickwick Papers' is by the same publisher the book is marginally larger and the gilded design to the spine is different from the others which are all uniformly bound. In addition both the internal front and rear hinges of this volume have been strengthened/repaired some time ago (see photo with bookplate) although there is no sign of cracking to the outer hinges.

Each volume, other than the slightly different one measures 21.9 cm high, 15.2 cm deep and the whole has a shelf coverage of approximately 59 cm. The total unpacked weight is some 13.5 kg.

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