Special Collections and Archives Item of the Week

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens was first published in 1849 in London by Bradbury and Evans. Illustrations are by H.K. Browne. This particular copy from our collection is a first edition, first issue.

As with many of Dickens’ works, David Copperfield was originally published in serial parts or installments. It was published between May of 1849 and November of 1850. The serialization of novels was not an invention of the Victorian era, but it certainly reached its peak popularity during this time period. Being able to examine David Copperfield in its serialized form gives students and patrons a view into the reading experience of the Victorians who first read this novel. Also of historical interest are the numerous advertisements present in each installment. A wide variety of products are advertised, ranging from clothing to medicine to books.

Novels were frequently published in installments over a period of time, appearing in newspapers, magazines, or as small, individual pamphlets. Serial installments of books were as eagerly anticipated in their day as the next episode of popular television shows are today. This method of publication was cost effective for many readers because purchasing installments allowed payment to be spread out over a longer time period rather than paying to purchase an entire book outright. Many Victorian authors published works in serial format, among them George Elliot, Elizabeth Gaskell, Thomas Hardy, and Robert Louis Stevenson.

Other serial novels written by Dickens available in the Special Collections and Archives are Bleak House, Little Dorrit, Our Mutual Friend, and the unfinished The Mystery of Edwin Drood. We encourage anyone with an interest to drop by Special Collections and look at these serial novels in person.

Special Collections and Archives is open to the public 1:30-5:00pm Monday through Friday and mornings by appointment.