# Is "Bleak House" by Charles Dickens a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Bleak House by Charles Dickens (Bradbury & Evans, 1852-1853) is identified by: True first is the 20 (in 19) monthly parts in printed wrappers with Hablot K. The UK parts are the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- True first is the 20 (in 19) monthly parts in printed wrappers with Hablot K. Browne ('Phiz') plates, March 1852 to September 1853
- A notable feature of the illustrations is the group of 'dark plates' (Phiz's machine-ruled etchings producing deep tonal effects)
- Part-issue points involve the plate states and the advertisement inserts in the parts
- The one-volume first book edition followed in 1853
- Publisher imprint reads Bradbury & Evans
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Charles Dickens |
| Publisher | Bradbury & Evans |
| Year | 1852-1853 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | True first is the 20 (in 19) monthly parts in printed wrappers with Hablot K. Browne ('Phiz') plates, March 1852 to September 1853 |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
True first is the 20 (in 19) monthly parts in printed wrappers with Hablot K. Browne ('Phiz') plates, March 1852 to September 1853. A notable feature of the illustrations is the group of 'dark plates' (Phiz's machine-ruled etchings producing deep tonal effects). Part-issue points involve the plate states and the advertisement inserts in the parts. The one-volume first book edition followed in 1853.

## Is this the true first?
The UK parts are the true first. The 'dark plates' are a recognized feature of the Phiz illustrations for this title.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later single-volume reprints are not the part issue.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Bleak House* by Charles Dickens a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/bleak-house
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.