Charles Dickens: The World of His Novels, J. Hillis Miller — 1st Edition
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Publication: Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, Harvard University Press and Oxford University Press, 1958.
Formatting: 8vo, pp. xvi, 346.
Condition Report: Very Good. The dark blue cloth binding remains exceptionally sharp and tight, with unbumped corners and no discernible shelf-wear to the board edges, retaining a wonderfully fresh appearance. The text block is square and securely bound, showing only faint, customary age-toning to the page edges without any pervasive foxing or dampstaining. The dust jacket is largely bright and complete, though it bears a small nick and minor closed tear to the head of the spine panel, alongside some very slight creasing and rubbing along the top edge of the front panel. The rear panel of the jacket is plain and clean, showing minimal wear. Overall, it is a highly presentable and well-preserved copy of a mid-century academic text.
Catalogue Note: First edition. Co-published by Harvard University Press and Oxford University Press, this volume represents a significant mid-century scholarly contribution to Dickensian criticism. The title page bears the dual imprint, whilst the copyright page confirms the sheets were printed in the United States.
The dust jacket notably features a reproduction of an original illustration by George Cruikshank, depicting a lively London street scene, "Licensed to sel Beer by Retail," in keeping with the book's thematic focus on the urban environments of Dickens's novels.
Such mid-century academic titles are relatively common on the secondary market, though copies retaining such sharp, un-sunned original bindings and largely intact dust jackets remain desirable for collectors of literary criticism.
In Charles Dickens: The World of His Novels, J. Hillis Miller offers a profound exploration into the imaginative universe of one of the Victorian era's greatest authors. Rather than analysing the novels as isolated works, Miller approaches Dickens's oeuvre as a singular, cohesive world, vividly brought to life by its myriad characters and the sprawling streets of London. By examining the persistent themes and social realities embedded within Dickens's prose, this study reveals how the author transformed nineteenth-century urban life into a profound literary landscape, making it an essential read for scholars and enthusiasts of Victorian literature alike.
Book Condition: Very Good
Book Authors: J. Hillis Miller
Book Publisher: Harvard University Press / Oxford University Press
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Non-Fiction
Genre: Criticism & Essays
Book edition: First Edition
Signed: No
Book Pages: 362
Book Publication Year: 1958
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: George Cruikshank
Book Series: N/A
Country/region of manufacture: Cambridge, United States
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| New | A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage. |
| As New | The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years. |
| Fine | The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked. |
| Near Fine | The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition. |
| Very Good | The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present. |
| Good | A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy. |
| Fair | A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity. |
| Poor | A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance. |
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