Little Dorrit - 1857

Little Dorrit is a serial novel by Charles Dickens published originally between 1855 and 1857. It is a work of satire on the shortcomings of the government and society of the period. Much of Dickens' ire is focused upon the institutions of debtors' prisons & mdash; in which people who owed money were imprisoned, unable to work, until they repaid their debts. The representative prison in this case is the Marshalsea where the author's own father had been imprisoned.

Bradbury and Evans published a First Editions, First Printing softcover 20 part collection in London, 1855. The 20 parts are bound in 19 blue wrappers designed by Phiz.  With 40 black and white plates, including 8 dark plates, also by Phiz. Housed in a custom marbled slipcase. 

Bradbury and Evans published a First Edition, First Issue hardcover in London, 1857. The book is bound in brown Morocco by Sawyer, with boards double ruled in gilt. Spine is lettered and stamped in gilt as well, with marbled endpapers, and gilt edges. Illustrated by H.K. Browne, with forty inserted plates, including the 8 “dark plates” and the frontispiece and engraved title. The edition was bound from the original monthly parts.