The Nonesuch Dickens.: Published under the editorial direction of Arthur Waugh, Hugh Walpole, Walter Dexter and Thomas Hatton.

London: The Nonesuch Press,, 1937-39. With an original plate First Nonesuch edition, number 37 of 877 sets with an original plate, a desirable set with the variously coloured cloth bindings in uniformly fresh condition. The peculiar limitation is due to the inclusion, enclosed in the 24th volume of each set, of one of the original plates used by Chapman and Hall, Dickens's original publishers, in their first printings of each title. Since they held in their archive 877 such plates - the majority steel but with a number of wood blocks - the limitation was set at this number. The present set includes the steel plate entitled "Free and Easy" by George Cruikshank, which originally appeared in Sketches by Boz. Also included is a proof pull and a letter of authentication from Chapman and Hall signed by Deputy Chairman Arthur Waugh, and numbered 37. Even aside from the inclusion of this Dickensian relic, the edition has always been highly sought after by collectors, the largest project of the Nonesuch Press and one of their great triumphs, esteemed for the quality of its printing, illustrations, and paper. As noted in the Prospectus, collected within Nonesuch Dickensiana, also included here, "it will never be possible for a more complete and perfect edition to be put upon the market". 25 volumes, large octavo. Original buckram in various colours, black morocco label to spines, top edges gilt on the rough, others untrimmed. Including Nonesuch Dickensiana. Illustrated throughout after the original plates; with original steel-engraved plate (see note). A couple of spines very lightly faded, occasional small mark to cloth, overall an excellent set.