Dickens, Charles

First Edition with 41 extra illustrations by Thomas Onwhyn and Kenny Meadows. Bound in green half morocco with green cloth, five raised bands and gilt lettering, frames and decoration to spine. All edges gilt, red silk page marker, marbled endpapers. Octavo. A8 B-RR8 pp. [blank] [blank] [frontispiece portrait of Dickens 'Engraved by Finden', under which is his signature in facsimile], [title page],[printer], [dedication page], [blank], [preface], [contents], [list of plates], 624, [blank], [blank]. A green original 'Part' wrapper is tipped in, between the front endpapers. Nicholas Nickleby was originally issued in monthly parts, and when the serialisation was completed issued as a book in cloth. The binding of this book was undertaken by Ware of Bristol whose tiny stamp is at the foot of the front pastedown. There is a centenary label on the front pastedown. Joseph Kenny Meadows, (November 1790–August 1874) better known as Kenny Meadows, was a British caricaturist and illustrator. He is best known for the drawings that he contributed to Punch and for his illustrations of scenes from Shakespeare's plays. Much of his work was drawn in a humorous bohemian style. He was well known for the quality of his illustrations, although the critical reception of his work was often mixed. Thomas Onwhyn (d. 1886), was a humorous draughtsman and engraver, born in London, was youngest son of Joseph Onwhyn, a bookseller and newsagent at 3 Catherine Street, Strand, London. In June 1838 Grattan issued a series of forty etchings by Onwhyn, illustrating 'Nicholas Nickleby;' these also appeared in parts, which were concluded in October 1839; some are signed with the pseudonym of 'Peter Palette.'