(DICKENS, CHARLES), "Boz". The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. London, Chapman and Hall, 1838-39. [i.e., April 1838-October 1839].

8:o (about 225x142 mm., box about 245x160x90 mm. ). 20 parts in 19. With 39 engraved plates by H.K. Browne (Phiz) and frontispiece portrait engraved by Finden after Maclise. The plates are partly foxed or darkend, mostly marginal, some minor tears. The first four plates in parts I and II in first state with the imprint of Chapman and Hall.
First edition, early issue in the original monthly parts. With first issue points “visiter” for “sister” on page 123 and “latter” instead of “letter” on page 160 a.o. Part 15 features the long title of the plate, “Nicholas makes his first visit to the lodgings of Mr. Bray.”

Publisher's blue original printed wrappers, some staining, part I with some staining to wrapper and the first 8 leaves, part II with small stamp, part X with dampstains, a few wrappers with small repairs or minor tears, part II with signature, some with faded spines. Text mostly with slight foxing, a few marginal paper losses, part XVI with some staining and one leaf with repair to upper margin affecting a few letters to the title. Part VII with 2 leaves of advertisments (Nickleby Advertiser) trimmed with some text loss, part IX lacking one leaf to Nickleby Advertiser, 4 leaves trimmed with some text loss. A few advertisments with some paper loss or tears.

Mark! Lacking advertisments, amongst others these: the very rare "Joseph Amesbury Patent Supports" (folded advertisement at the back of part III) and National Loan Fund: "This day is Published..." in part VIII; Part XI lacks the small yellow strip at back; "Hill's Seal Wafer's" advertisement at the back of Part XIX/XX. Parts VIII lacks the "Mechi's Catalogues" and part XIX/XX lacks the Valentine Fox Specimen illustration in the Tyas's Popular Publications 6 page advertisement at rear.