Dickens' genius for creating eccentric yet entirely captivating characters found its fullest expression in his third novel,
Nicholas Nickleby
, published in 1839. The ebullient narrative follows Nicholas as he escapes from the influence of his villainous uncle and the wicked schoolmaster Wackford Squeers, stumbles into a theatrical career, and pursues his fortune through numerous adventures. This Nonesuch edition features the author's final text and the illustrations Dickens himself selected to complement his words.
The Legendary Nonesuch Dickens, issued in the 1930s, presented the writing of the foremost English novelist in its most distinguished format. Upon its original publication, the set was hailed as "one of the most glorious publishing achievements of our time." Now the peerless Nonesuch standards have been revived in new editions of Dickens' most beloved works, introducing a new generation of readers to these masterpieces of literature, illustration and book design.
The Nonesuch Press was founded in London by Francis Meynell in 1923. Applying the refinement and expertise of the private press aesthetic to commercial publishing, Nonesuch books were among the most elegant and treasured volumes produced in the first half of the twentieth century. The fabled
Nonesuch Dickens
was the Press' most ambitious project, treasured both for its quality and its rarity: only 877 twenty-four volume sets were issued, and complete original sets have sold recently at auction for more than $30,000.
Employing modern printing technology seven decades later, each book in the revived Nonesuch Dickens replicates the enduring editorial and design excellence of its inspiration at an affordable price.