(Cruikshank, George; Phiz; Hamerton, Robert J.). Ainsworth, William Harrison; Moore, Thomas; Ritchie, Leitch; Strickland, Agnes; Dickens, Charles.
The Pic Nic Papers by Various Hands. Edited by Charles Dickens, Esq. With Illustrations by George Cruikshank, Phiz, &C. In Three Volumes. (3 Volumes).
London: Henry Colburn, Publisher, 1841. 1841. - Octavo, 7-1/2 inches high by 4-1/2 inches wide. Hardcover, bound in full red morocco by Riviere & Son with gilt borders and elaborate gilt floral decorations on the spine, titled in gilt on the spine between five raised bands. The binding is further enhanced with maroon endpapers and gilt inner dentelles. The top edges are gilt. The spine's gilt titling is faded. The joints and extremities of the covers are slightly rubbed. Pages vi & 323; [iv] & 298; and [iv] & 378, plus [1] contents page, [1] blank page, and [2] pages of ads, illustrated with 15 engraved plates, consisting of 2 by Cruikshank, 6 by Phiz, & 7 by R.J. Hamerton, including one duplicate. A very attractive set.
First edition, first issue with the Cox imprint on the verso of the title page of volume 1, and with "publisher young" uncorrected in the Dickens introduction.
"Dickens undertook the editing of Pic Nic Papers in behalf of the destitute widow of John Macrone, his first publisher. For the book he wrote the introduction and revised his farce The Lamplighter..Mrs. Macrone received 300 pounds from the sale of the book." -Richard Gimbel, An Exhibition..#45, in Yale University Literary Gazette, October 1962. The third volume was not edited by Dickens.
From the library of Gustavia Adolphus Senff (1828-1927), the wife of art collector and sugar manufacturer Charles H. Senff (1837-1911), with her bookplate tipped to the pastedown of each volume. Although not indicated, the books more recently were in the collection of the Americana collector Charles E. Sigety. Very good .

Blue Mountain Books & Manuscripts, Ltd.
Professional sellerBook number: 97814
USD 750.00 [Appr.: EURO 651 | £UK 557.5 | JP¥ 109426]
Keywords: LITERATURE; ILLUSTRATED; CHARLES DICKENS; THE PIC NIC PAPERS BY VARIOUS HANDS; FIRST EDITION; FIRST ISSUE; 1ST EDITION; NINETEENTH CENTURY; 19TH CENTURY; THE LAMPLIGHTER; MACRONE; ILLUSTRATIONS; GUSTAVIA ADOLPHUS SENFF; CHARLES E. SIGELY; GEORGE CRUIKSHAN