Works of Charles Dickens, Library Edition, 28 Volumes
Boston: Fields, Osgood, and Co., 1868-1871. Hardcover. SCARCE. This is a very rare and unusual set of the complete works of Charles Dickens, published in the United States from 1868 through 1871. The publisher, Fields, Osgood and Co., was in existence for only 3 years and has an very interesting back story. James Fields was a partner with William Ticknor in the well-known publishing firm Ticknor and Fields, which published works by many famous 19th century authors, including Emerson, Hawthorne, Longfellow, Twain, and Thoreau. In 1864, Ticknor accompanied Hawthorne on a trip arranged to restore Hawthorne's health. Unfortunately, Ticknor himself became ill and died as a result of this trip. Ticknor's death left the publishing firm in the hands of James Fields and Ticknor's son. The firm was renamed Fields, Osgood, and Co. in 1868. Fields subsequently retired from publishing in 1871, and the firm was renamed once again to James R. Osgood and Co.
Thus, the publishing record of Fields, Osgood and Co. is very slim. This Dickens set was one of its major endeavors, begun in 1868 under Fields, Osgood and Co. and completed in 1871 under James R. Osgood and Co. Further, Fields, Osgood had a special exclusive arrangement with Dickens, as is noted on the frontispiece of many of the volumes: "By a special arrangement made with me and my English Publishers (partners with me in the copyright on my works,) Messrs. Fields, Osgood, and Co., of Boston, have become the only authorized representative in American of the whole series of my books." [Signed] Charles Dickens, London, April, 1867. The scarcity of this set and its unusual history should be of interest to the Dickens collector. Signed by the original owner.
The set includes the following titles: The Pickwick Papers, Nicholas NIckleby, Martin Chuzzlewit, Old Curiosity Shop, Barnaby Rudge, Sketches by Boz, Oliver Twist, Dombey & Son, David Copperfield, Pictures from Italy/American Notes, Great Expectations, Bleak House, Little Dorrit, Christmas Books (including A Christmas Carol), A Tale of Two Cities, Our Mutual Friend, The Uncommercial Traveler (and other stories), and Edwin Drood.
The set is generally in very good condition, with bumping and occasional small tears at the top and bottom edges of most spines, as well as minor bumping to corners. The covers of three volumes have unusual discoloration that may have resulted from stains being removed with a cleaning agent. Otherwise, all covers are intact. Pages blocks are yellowed but clear, with little to no foxing. An occasional page may be loose. Quarto. In dark green cloth covers with gilt titles to spines. LIT/092826. Very Good -.
Item #38431
Price: $400.00