The Mystery of Edwin Drood. by DICKENS, Charles - 1870

London: Chapman and Hall, 1870. First edition in book form of the author's final novel, attractively bound by Bayntun.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood was projected to be published in twelve monthly parts, but Dickens had only completed six parts when he died of a stroke. The finished parts of the novel were gathered and published in the present book form the month following his death, but Dickens had left no notes or instructions for how the novel was to be completed, and as a result "soon a whole Drood 'industry' (which still flourishes today) grew up, concerned with providing a plausible solution to the mystery" (ODNB). Octavo (210 x 134 mm). Early 20th-century red half morocco by Bayntun, spine lettered in gilt, red cloth sides, marbled endpapers, gilt edges; with wrapper of original part VI bound at front. Engraved frontispiece by J. H. Baker, vignette title page and 12 plates after S. L. Fildes. Light rubbing, binding firm, some foxing to early leaves, various repairs to short closed tears at extremities not affecting text, repair to longer tear at head of pp. 19/20 affecting text without loss, slight staining to outer margin towards end. A very good copy. Smith I.16.