Charles Dickens Dombey and Sons Dombey and Sons follows the fortunes of a shipping firm, whose owner

Dombey and Sons follows the fortunes of a shipping firm, whose owner is frustrated at not having a son to follow him in the job, and initially rejects his daughter’s love, eventually becoming reconciled with her before his death. The story features many Dickensian themes, such as arranged marriages, child cruelty, betrayal, deceit, and relations between people from different classes. The novel was first published in monthly parts between 1846 and 1848. 

This is the first edition of the book issued as a single volume, published in 1848, with 40 etched plates by H K Browne ('Phiz'), including the frontispiece and an engraved and dated title page. This book includes several first state points: Cuttle's left arm is a hook on engraved title page and on plate facing p. 238; p. 14 'aint' lacks the apostrophe; p. 26 line 11 has 'fidgetty'; p. 284 'Delight' instead of 'Joy'. However, there are no errata on the plates contents page, and several other misprints have been corrected. 

The book appears to have replacement binding, marbled covers and endpapers, with leather spine and corners. Some very light wear on covers, particularly on edges, and on edge of spine. The spine has 5 raised bands with gold filigree decoration The leather title plate is damaged (see photo) but the author's nameplate is in place. The date, 1848, is embossed at the bottom of the spine.

Some darkening around the edges of plates and some foxing, and on the Title Page and frontispiece. Otherwise very good clean, tight copy. The binding is firm.   

This book was inherited by the current seller from his father, who in turn inherited it from his father. It may have been in the family for longer than this.