[DICKENS, Charles (1812-1870), editor]. Memoirs of Grimaldi. London: Richard Bentley, 1838.

First edition in exquisite Bayntun pictorial binding, extra-illuminated with contemporary material. The famed autobiography of the nineteenth-century clown Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837) was edited by a young Charles Dickens. It is here complemented by both a superb binding from George Bayntun and extra-illustrated with a variety of contemporary material including engraved plates of relevant persons and locales, including caricatures by Samuel de Wilde. Eckel 140-141; Podeschi/Gimbel B64.

Two volumes, octavo (198 x 120mm). Half-titles, engraved frontispiece of Grimaldi by W. Greatbach and 12 etched plates by George Cruikshank including “The last Song” without border, “List of Embellishments” with incorrectly listed sixth plate at p.238, extra-illustrated with numerous plates, some foldout and hand-colored (without advertisements; “Introductory Chapter” and “List of Embellishments” appear supplied from a later issue, some toning). Later red crushed morocco stamp-signed by the binder, upper boards with figures of Grimaldi in varicolored morocco onlays, elaborate tooled in gilt, all edges gilt, marbled golden endpapers, both vols with twin cloth bookmarks. Custom slip-case.