Dombey and Son

Charles Dickens’s story of a powerful man whose callous neglect of his family triggers his professional and personal downfall showcases the author’s gift for vivid characterization and unfailingly realistic description. It follows the narrative of a shipping firm owner, who abandoned his family in favor of fortune after rejecting his daughter’s love in preference of a son. He later reconciles with her and begs forgiveness before his death. 

Dombey and Son is a novel by the Victorian author Charles Dickens. It was first published in monthly parts between October 1846 and April 1848 with the full title Dealings with the Firm of Dombey and Son: Wholesale, Retail, and for Exportation. Dickens started writing the book in Lausanne, Switzerland, but traveled extensively during the course of its writing, returning to England to begin another work before completing Dombey and Son.

Bradbury and Evans published a First Edition softcover collection in London, 1846. The work is a collection of the original 20 parts, bound in nineteen with the last number containing parts XIX-XX. Each part is bound in green printed wrappers, with a Dombey & Son advertiser. 

Bradbury and Evans published a First Edition hardcover in London, 1848. The book is bound in a green cloth over boards, the spine is lettered in gilt, and decorated by an elaborate design in blind on the covers. The pages are printed on cream endpapers with 40 illustrated plates; plate 35 is the first published example of a “dark plate”. Bookplate of the Warrington wire-manufacturer Thomas Glazebrook Rylands (1818-1900). Illustrated by Hablot Knight Browne.

Lea and Blanchard published a First Edition thus [BFTP] and the 3rd US Edition in Philadelphia, 1848. The hardcover is bound in brown cloth over boards and leather bound spine, along with gilt lettering.