Dickens, Charles [1812 - 1870]. OUR MUTUAL FRIEND. New York: Published by John Bradburn (Successor to M. Doolady), 1864 / 1865. Original publisher's brown cloth binding, with gilt stamped spine lettering & graphic, and boards stamped in blind (professionally recased). 4 volumes (317, [1 (blank)] 314 314 294 pp). Frontis in each volume + 14 inserted plates (v1: 6 v2: 3 v3: 3 v4: 2). 12mo. 1st US book edition, with v2 2nd issue (Edgar & Vail, p. 29n [stating 'not seen'] Gimbel A153 [entire set dated 1865]). Not in VanderPoel nor Wilkins. Vol 3: leaves with pp 21 - 24 with ragged lower fore-edge [text not affected]. A Very Good set.

The McGuire Catalogue lists v2 with an 1864 publication date, though challenging such as accurate, stating "frankly the date is suspect". Our set has v2 with an 1865 publication date, indicating [in our opinion] an issue point for the volume [perhaps when the t.p. form reset to reflect "Book the Second", the compositor initially neglected to change the imprint date to 1865?]. In either issue, a Rare item.