The Charles Dickens Companion, Michael & Mollie Hardwick — 1st Edition

£12.99

The Charles Dickens Companion, Michael & Mollie Hardwick — 1st Edition

Name: The Charles Dickens Companion, Michael & Mollie Hardwick — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5643
Price: 12.99 GBP
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Publication: London, John Murray, 1965

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 250.

Condition Report: Good. This is a sturdy but evidently ex-institutional copy that remains fully readable and structurally sound. The text block is square and the binding remains firm, justifying its grade above a Fair reading copy, though the page edges exhibit typical age-related tanning and scattered foxing. The original dust jacket is housed in a protective plastic sleeve, which has been permanently secured to the boards with black cloth tape along the top and bottom margins, a significant institutional modification that prevents a higher grading. A Dewey Decimal classification label ("823.8 DIC") is affixed to the lower spine beneath the protective film. The preliminary pages are generally clean and bright, presenting a highly practical and serviceable desk copy.

Catalogue Note: First edition. Compiled by the prolific husband-and-wife team Michael and Mollie Hardwick, this volume serves as a comprehensive reference guide to the plots, characters, and memorable quotations of Charles Dickens. The jacket features classic line-drawn character illustrations by quintessential Dickensian artists.

This particular copy bears undeniable institutional provenance, evidenced by the spine's classification sticker and the heavily reinforced jacket binding. While this title remains an enduringly useful resource on the open market, this 1965 printing is common; as such, this specific copy is best suited for a scholar or casual reader requiring a working desk reference rather than a pristine collector's item.

An indispensable bedside companion for any Dickens enthusiast, The Charles Dickens Companion offers a detailed encyclopaedia of the author’s sprawling literary universe. It features exhaustive summaries of plots, an alphabetical directory of his myriad characters, a rich compendium of famous quotations, and a brief biographical outline of Dickens himself. Brought to life with the classic Victorian illustrations that accompanied the original serials, this companion is a delightful key to unlocking the complex, bustling, and often murky world of one of Britain’s greatest novelists.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Michael Hardwick, Mollie Hardwick

Book Publisher: John Murray

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Criticism & Essays

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 250

Book Publication Year: 1965

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

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.