DICKENS, Charles (1812-1870). Our Mutual Friend In: Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Nos. CLXIX-CLXXXVII. New York: Harper & Brothers, June 1864-December 1865.

First American periodical edition in original parts—rarely seen at auction. Likely the first appearance of Our Mutual Friend in America, with each part appearing one month after the release of its counterpart in the London first serial publication, which ran from May 1854-November 1865. Featuring serialized publications of Dickens’s contemporaries such as Thackeray and Wilkie Collins, the latter’s Annandale also appearing in the present lot. A very nice set, and rare. See “Charles Dickens’s Our Mutual Friend” from Queen’s Belfast University; Wilkins, 32.

20 parts in 19, octavo (262 x 168mm). Wood-engraved portrait frontispiece of Dickens and 34 wood-engraved illustrations after Marcus Stone (minor scattered spots and toning). Original printed cream wrappers (small scattered stains, light toning, occasional wear, “o” of “Monthly” on part 177 neatly cut-out, dampstain to parts 173-187, lower wrapper on part 173 reattached). Housed in two custom red cloth slipcases. Provenance: Mary O. Bellows (pencil inscription on part 177).