Charles Dickens | Pictures from Italy, London, 1846, first edition, warmly inscribed by the author to Lady Blessington the day after publication

Charles Dickens

Pictures from Italy. London: Bradbury & Evans, 1846

FIRST EDITION, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR ON THE HALF-TITLE in brown ink: "The | Countess of Blessington. | From her Friend | Charles Dickens | Devonshire Terrace | Nineteenth May 1846.", small 8vo (175 x 113 mm), 4 woodcuts after Samuel Palmer, advertisement leaves at beginning and end, original blue fine-diaper cloth, covers decorated in blind with arabesque designs in corners and central circular designs, spine lettered in gilt, pale yellow endpapers, housed in a modern bespoke silk-lined brown morocco folding case by Root, London, hinges cracked

A SUPERB PRESENTATION COPY, WARMLY INSCRIBED BY DICKENS ON THE DAY AFTER PUBLICATION TO HIS FRIEND LADY BLESSINGTON.

This book was sent simultaneously with another presentation copy inscribed to Lady Blessington's lover (and Dickens's close friend) Count D'Orsay, as is recorded in the author's letter to Lady Blessington of the same date:

"...I have been every day expecting to be able to send you the enclosed little Volume, and could get no copies until last night... Count d'Orsay's copy of the 'Pictures'. with my cordial remembrance and regard..." (Letters, volume 4, p. 548).

Bradbury and Evans's accounts record 25 presentation copies in all. The copy inscribed to Count D'Orsay was offered in these rooms as part of the Lawrence Drizen Collection, 24 September 2019, lot 127.

Eight of these sketches originally appeared in The Daily News from 21 January to 11 March 1846; Dickens amended and added to them for this book publication.

PROVENANCE:

Presented by the author to Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington (1789–1849) on 19 May 1846, presentation inscription to half-title and bookplate of Lady Blessington; sale, Christie's New York, 15 December 1995, lot 12

LITERATURE:

Smith II: 7; Eckel p. 126