London: Chapman and Hall, November 1837-June 1839. In 20 volumes. First edition in original monthly parts (with "8" of p. 18 set lower; "0" of p. 50 set higher; p. 83 pagination figures set level and clearly printed; pagination figures on p. 515 printed center; p. 526 with "reeledbefore"; with all ads per Hatton & Cleaver). 8vo. Illustrated with an etched vignette title-page and 39 etched plates by George Cruikshank; with publisher's imprint at bottom Nos. VII-XX (Plate No. 11 [later state without imprint], 17, 23, and 34 sometime supplied; Plate No. 12, "Vauxhall Gardens by Day" bound in No. X; Plate No. 19, "Private Theatres" bound in No. VI; additional later state of Plate No. 20 laid in No. 12; additional later state of Plate No. 34 laid in No. 18). Publisher's limp printed pictorial pink wrappers; wrapper of No. XI supplied from No. X, with number altered to read "XI"; rear wrapper of No. XVI lacking, with plain wrapper supplied; wrappers for No. XVII supplied in facsimile; wrappers of No. XX supplied from No. III with number altered to read "XX"; spines variously and sometime repaired or renewed; ownership signature erased from upper front wrapper of Nos. XII and XIII; wrappers faded and soiled, creasing and wear along extremities; threads likely renewed in several volumes; many plates darkened and foxed; scattered spotting to text; in green cloth fall-down-back box. Hatton & Cleaver, pp. 91-128; Eckel, p. 13-16

One the scarcest of Dickens' works in monthly parts. Sketches initially appeared in magazines and daily journals, with some then gathered into book form and published by John Macrone in 1836 and 1837 (see lots). In 1837, Chapman and Hall purchased the copyright from Macrone, and began publishing the work in 20 monthly parts, with the first part published in November 1837 to coincide with the release of the final monthly number of The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club. The use of pink wrappers, instead of the typical green, was met with a cool reception by advertisers, contributing to the works paucity of ads. For the illustrations, George Cruikshank contributed his original 26 etchings that appeared in the book form edition--here enlarged--plus an additional 13 new designs.