American Notes for General Circulation — Charles Dickens, 1868

American Notes for General Circulation
Charles Dickens | D. Appleton & Company | New York, 1868

An attractive nineteenth-century American edition of Charles Dickens's American Notes for General Circulation, published by D. Appleton & Company in New York in 1868, retaining its original decorative illustrated paper wrappers.

First published in 1842, American Notes chronicles Dickens's travels through the United States and Canada earlier that year. His observations of American society, politics, institutions, and everyday life offer a fascinating perspective on nineteenth-century America through the eyes of one of Victorian England's most celebrated authors.

This 1868 Appleton edition was produced in an inexpensive paper format, with 104 pages of double-column text. Its original illustrated wrappers feature elaborate Victorian ornamentation, including decorative figures, fruit motifs, and grasshoppers surrounding the title and publisher's name.

The publication also retains its original publisher's advertisements, including listings dating from 1861 through 1867.

Surviving nineteenth-century paper editions with their original illustrated wrappers are particularly appealing to collectors of Dickens, Victorian literature, and early American publishing.

Publication Details

• Title: American Notes for General Circulation
• Author: Charles Dickens
• Publisher: D. Appleton & Company
• Publication: New York, 1868
• Publisher's Address: 442 & 445 Broadway
• Format: Original illustrated paper wrappers
• Pagination: 104 numbered pages, plus publisher's advertisements
• Printing: Double-column text
• Original Cover Price: Approximately 15–16 cents

Condition

Good antique condition.

The original illustrated paper wrappers are present and attached, with the spine intact and showing wear at the head.

There are areas of paper loss along the lower center edge of the front wrapper and first several pages. These losses are confined entirely to the margins and do not affect the printed text.

Additional paper loss is present at the upper right corner of the front wrapper, possibly resulting from the removal of an old price label. The rear wrapper exhibits wear at the upper left corner, but all printed lettering remains intact.

The binding is secure, with no loose or detached sections. The original publisher's advertisements are present.

The surviving illustrated wrappers are an especially attractive feature of this nineteenth-century publication.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and show the exact antique book being offered.